Swarming Bees and Honey Bees

It is about this time of year when honey bees start to 'think' about swarming. This is a natural process and one which a beekeeper tries to control. A settled swarm is temporary while they look for a more permanent place to live. The swarm may be there a short time or a few days before they decide to move on. It is at this point that a beekeeper should be called as he or she will try to capture the bees.

However, also at this time of year various other types of bees, hover flies and wasps appear, some are large bumble bees and others small, some remarkably like the honeybee. They live in various places, some in walls, bird boxes, in compost heaps, rodent holes, thick grass, holes under sheds, spaces behind soffits and guttering. Should you discover any of these types of bees, you will find that these will disappear around August/September. More information regarding bumblebees can be found at www.bumblebeeconservation.org. Unfortunately, beekeepers are unable to help with the removal of bumble bees or wasps.

Beekeepers can remove honeybees that have clustered together in a swarm and are hanging on posts, in bushes or trees etc. We are however unable to take bees out of the fabric of a building; this must be done by pest control expert.

 Beverley Beekeepers Association have a dedicated team who can be called on to collect and advise on swarms. All our members are covered by insurance. Please do not post the swarm on social media as other swarm collectors may not be insured to do the collecting. For more information visit our web site at www.beverleybeekeepers.co.uk and go to the swarm menu.