Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
British Beekeepers Association
  • Shop
  • Beekeepers
  • Beekeepers
Menu
  • Our Services
    • Explore Bees & Beekeeping
    • Find beekeeping near you
    • Offer land to bees
    • Asian Hornet
    • Become a Member
    • Useful Resources
  • Swarm Removal
  • Junior Beekeeping
    • School Visits
    • Our Beacon Schools
    • Bees in Schools
    • Teaching Materials
    • International Meeting of Young Beekeepers
  • Support us
    • Make a Donation
    • Support an Appeal
    • Gift Shop
    • A gift in your Will
    • Fundraisers
    • Research
    • The difference you make
  • Latest
    • Our Events
      • Spring Convention 8-10 April 2022
      • Member Events
    • Campaigns
    • News
    • Beekeeper Events Calendar
    • In the Apiary Blog
    • Planting for Bees Blog
    • Recipes with honey
  • About us
    • Our story
      • BBKA History
      • What we do
    • Our Patrons
    • Our Trustees
    • Our Corporate Sponsors
    • Contact us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Swarm removal
  1. Swarm Removal

Swarm removal

In summer we get many calls and questions from people with bees in their houses, outbuildings and gardens.  

There are over 250 types of bees in the UK but there is only one european honey bee (Apis mellifera).  As well as honey bees there are around 24 species of bumblebee and over 240 species of solitary bee in the UK.  Please see below to help identify what type of bee you have and who to approach for help and information.  

If you have honey bees in the structure of your property Click here.

If you feel you need to have the bees destroyed please contact a local reputable pest control company.  Bees are endangered but they are not protected.  Click here for the link to the Health & Safety Executive guide to Honey bees and biocides: 

Our volunteers beekeepers can only assist in cases of swarms OF HONEY BEES.

See our page of photos of honeybee swarms

To Jump straight to the Swarm map click here

To support the work of the BBKA please DONATE

STEP 1: Identifying bees

If the insects are not honey bees, this part of the website shows you how to recognise other insects  and  gives some advice on what to do.

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are often confused with honeybees. However they are rounder, larger and furrier and come with a variety of coloured stripes across the end of their tails. Are they in a bird box, under the decking, in the compost? Bumblebees are important pollinators. Leave the nests alone if possible. They will die out at the end of summer and will cause no further problems. Bumblebees rarely sting or attack people or animals and should therefore not be disturbed. There are 24 different types of native bumblebee, all of which vary in size and colour. For more information about bumblebees go to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website, or the Buzz About Bees website.

Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of bumblebees.

Solitary bees

Are there lots of small bees popping in and out of the wall or very small holes in the ground. Do they have a "reddy/brown" bottom? Are they almost black?

These are solitary bees, of which there are over 240 species recorded in the UK and they post no threat or harm to you, your family or pets. Solitary bees are important pollinators and should be left alone. Their numbers will decrease over the summer and their nests should be left alone.  If they are in your lawn or buildings, they may look worrying but they cause no damage.  Again most species only fly for a few weeks, so will probably disappear again within a month. Please leave them alone if you can.

For more information go to The Wildlife Trusts.

Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of solitary bees.

For more information on identifying 'What bee is this?' - click here

Wasps

Is it bright yellow with black stripes? Very smooth, mainly yellow with black stripes? Is it in the roof of your house? Are they coming from a round nest in a tree? Is there a nest in the shed? Do they have a high pitched buzz? Are they after all things sweet? Then these are probably wasps.

For more information go to BWARS.

Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of wasps.

European Hornets

Are they very big with a loud buzz? Are they black and brown with a hint of orange? Living in the roof or shed? Do they have a very big curved tail? These are European Hornets and are valuable pollinators usually found in wooden areas. 

For more information go to BWARS.

Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of hornets.

Asian Hornets

Are they dark brown or black with a velvety body? The queen is up to 30mm long and worker up to 25mm long (smaller than the European counterpart). Are the legs yellow at the ends (the European hornet has brown legs)? Do not disturb an active nest. If you suspect you have found an Asian Hornet please send a photo to [email protected]

For more information click here

Beekeepers can help you identify Asian Hornets.

Mining Bees

Here's a video taken by Gary Hammond of North Herts Beekeepers Association where you can see hundreds of these solitary mining bees flying over a bed of soil where they have made their burrows. Gary says he's been getting calls from the swarm line but gone out to find these mining bees.   Our swarm collectors are unable to assist with mining bees.  

Ivy Mining Bees , not to be confused with honey bees. If this is what you have found, unfortunately, the BBKA cannot help.

If you still cannot identify what bee it is click here for further information.

STEP 2: I still think they're Honey bees

Honey bees are small and vary in colour from golden brown to almost black.  All will form a distinctive cluster when they have settled as a swarm. Honey bees have large hairy eyes, a furry chest or thorax and distinctive bent antennae. 

If you have honey bees in the structure of your property

Does your swarm look like this?

If you are looking at these then please contact your local Swarm Collector who will provide appropriate help or advice with your honey bee swarm. 

See our page of honeybee swarm photos for more examples

STEP 3: Find a local Swarm Collector

Please note that swarm collectors from south of the Thames cannot assist with swarms across the water in Essex.

Enter your postcode below and then click on the red markers which appear nearest the 'bee' for details of your local swarm collector.

If you can't find a swarm collector local to you on this map please get in touch with your local beekeeping association

STEP 4: Further Reading

This Swarm Checklist provides further information and has kindly been provided by BeeCraft (www.bee-craft.com).

If you have honey bees in the structure of your property click here

All of the information you need if you have found a Honey Bee swarm should be here on this page. If you feel you do need further assistance you can contact us on 02476 696679. 

Testimonies 

On Monday July 2nd at 4.30pm a swarm of honey bees had gathered on a small tree branch that was on the border with my neighbour. He thought they were wasps and was in a panic. I confirmed they were bees with the help of your website, used your search to find and call a coordinator, who phoned back to say a bee keeper had been found. He called me immediately and arrived about an hour later with all the kit and removed the bees to a new home. It was fascinating to watch as he talked through each step. He even gave me a jar of his own splendid honey but would take no payment for this or his time and expenses. So I am about to make a donation to you for your excellent website and the service it provided. Thank you so much and let's hope those bees are happy in their new home.

To support the work of the BBKA please DONATE

Main image credit: Nilfanion


 

Published: 22nd April, 2022

Updated: 27th April, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • World Bee Day Events

    World Bee Day Events

    World Bee Day is celebrated every year on the 20th May. It is a day when beekeepers raise awareness of the importance of bees and beekeeping, and inform the public of beekeeping events where they can learn more about bees!

  • Summer Planting for Bees

    Summer Planting for Bees

    Celia Davies continues her blog series covering summer planting.

  • Spring Convention

    Spring Convention

  • First Asian Hornet of 2022 Confirmed

    First Asian Hornet of 2022 Confirmed

    The first Asian Hornet of 2022 found on the British mainland has been captured at Felixstowe in Suffolk.

Most read

  • Swarm removal

    Swarm removal

    Beekeepers are often approached about winged, flying creatures, especially in the spring and summer period, when they are their most active simply working and are no cause for alarm. We can only help if they are honeybees.

  • Find beekeeping near You

    Find beekeeping near You

    Please scroll over our BBKA map to find branches and members who can help you on your way to becoming a beekeeper.

  • Courses and education

    Courses and education

    Our charity raises the standards of beekeeping through its exam structure

  • What bee is this?

    What bee is this?

    What bee is this? Pictures of the bumblebees and solitary bees often mistaken for honeybees. Easy ways to identify them.

  • Log in information

  • Honeybee Swarms

    A collection of photos of honeybee swarms. Some photos of beautiful honeybees in swarms. It is hoped this page will help the public recognise honeybee swarms and then use the swarm map to find a beekeeper to collect the honeybees!

  • Identifying Asian Hornet

    Identifying Asian Hornet

    How to identify an Asian Hornet in three easy steps - a poster you can print - an app you can download

  • How do I become a beekeeper?

    How do I become a beekeeper?

    How do I become a beekeeper? - Why you should join a local association? - Where can I find out about courses? - books that will help

  • Gardening for bees

    Gardening for bees

    We could all do more to plant our gardens for our hungry honeybees.

  • Site search

    Site search using a Google Custom Search Engine

Tag cloud

Application form Asian Hornet Asian Hornet Action Team assessments BBKA News BeeBase Beekeeping Honey honey bees Junior Certificate Local honey Melissopalynology Posh bee Propolis Research save the bees

Helpful links

© The British Beekeepers Association
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 1185343.
The National Beekeeping Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG | 024 7669 6679

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Social Media Policy
  • Contact Us

Connect

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Manage Cookie Preferences