Swarming
I think I have a swarm.
What should I do?
First, check if it's a honey bee swarm!
You can use the information below to help find this out.
Please note that we can ONLY deal with honey bee swarms
Do you have bees in or on your property, such as in the eaves, attic or fascia boards?
We are unable to help you with this.
Please see the list of recommended companies below that may be able to help you.
If the bees are somewhere easily accessible then....
If you have identified a honey bee swarm then leave it alone and record the following information:
1. Address of swarm location
2. Contact name and telephone number of a witness
3. Is the swarm accessible? e.g. Is a ladder required?
The following members are prepared to come and collect honey bee swarms in their area. Please contact the individual directly at the number given below. If they are unable to answer please leave a message detailing the above points.
We can be very busy during the swarming season, so please be patient and someone will contact you. Please note we collect swarms at the home owner and/or land owner’s risk and we cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to property.
These people are all volunteers and will not be able to help with any building work or be able to collect swarms from inaccessible places.
Cardiff, Cardiff West, Llantrisant & Vale of Glamorgan
Nick Mensikov
0794 996 9530
Caerphilly / North Cardiff / Blackwood / Abertillery
Darran Evans
0781 005 9829
All Areas
Kevin Lewis
0790 870 1537
Cardiff East
Beverley Price
029 2036 2367
Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan
Barbara & Harold Williams
0771 526 2207
Aberdare / Merthyr Tydfil
Kevin Edwards
0779 918 0130
Pontypridd
John King
01443 400798
Pontypridd
Mercia Powis
0778 857 6193
Cardiff West, Llantrisant, Radyr
Andy Parker
0796 972 3377
Penarth & Dinas Powys
Lynette El-Khatib
0750 627 2225
Llantrisant, Cowbridge, Llanharan, Pencoed and Bridgend
Lionel Slade
0773 925 0829
Ystrad Mynach
Brian Morris
0778 424 8985
Interactive map of beekeepers
Just type in the postcode of the localtion of the swarm and press "Find the nearest swarm collectors"
If you then click on a pin you'll get the name and phone number of a swarm collector.
If the bees are in a building .....
Beekeepers are usually not builders; therefore, we cannot remove bees from building walls, chimneys, or roof spaces. There are several specialised companies that do offer this kind of service, and there is more information and guidance on the BBKA Website Bees in Buildings | British Beekeepers Association
There will be a charge for this service.
Once a honey bee swarm becomes established in a chimney or cavity wall, they are quite difficult to remove. They are unlikely to cause structural damage. Many beekeepers are unable to remove such swarms due to the risk associated with such works.
We recommend you contact a bee friendly pest controller for advice.
The following may be able to help or give advice.
Please note that they will charge for any services performed.
Mark – ARC contracting Limited
07894717029
Mr Wasp
Specialist Bee Nest Removal & Control Services | Mr Wasp
02920 754796
Swarm catchers
SwarmCatcher – Live Honey Bee Removal and Relocation Specialists UK
01297 441272
Lorne East
Project Manager
Sirhowy Valley Honeybee Co. Ltd
07507108563
Platoon Pest Control
07584431061
Is it a honey bee?
Swarming is a natural process that occurs when honey bees in the hive allow a new queen to develop and the colony splits into two smaller colonies. Swarming is the honey bees' way of reproducing.
One group of bees with a queen will fly and eventually land in a suitable location, such as tree or post. Some bees can be seen flying from the swarm, these are scout bees, searching for a suitable place for the colony to fly to and set up a permanent hive.
The usual swarming season is between April to the end of August, and this is the time when members of the public often need the services of a beekeeper to deal with honey bee swarms.
Beekeepers will only deal with honey bees swarms, and this page has been created to help you identify the most common types of insects we get called out to deal with. If you do have a honey bee swarm which can be removed safely, we have several members who volunteer their services.
Please follow the advice on this page or if you are still unsure, then go to – https://www.bbka.org.uk/what-bee-is-this
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. Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of bumblebees.
Is it bright yellow with black stripes? Very smooth, mainly yellow with black stripes? Is it in the attic 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. Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of wasps.
There are over 250 types of bees in the UK but there is only one European honey bee (Apis mellifera). Honey bees are small and vary in colour from golden brown to almost black.
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 225 species recorded in the UK and they pose 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. Beekeepers are unable to assist in the removal of solitary bees.
