Swarms

Bee keepers will usually only attend a ‘call out’ for swarms of honey bees where accessible.

In the first instance requests for wasp nests and bumble bee nests should be made to the local authority. To help distinguish between the species please look at the pictures below.

Swarming

This is a natural phenomenon when the bees in the hive allow a new queen to develop and the colony splits into two smaller colonies. At this point one group of bees leave the hive looking for a new home. The usual swarming season is between April and early August.

It is also a time when the public get concerned and panic and need the services of a bee keeper.

The bees will fly and eventually land on a tree or a post and hang in the shape of a rugby ball. Some bees will be flying from the swarm because they are looking for a suitable place for the colony to fly to and set up a permanent home. eg an empty hive, chimney or a cavity in a tree.

If you see a swarm leave it alone.

The following members are prepared to come and collect swarms near their areas. Please contact them directly on the telephone number they have given.
Dinah Sweet (Caerphilly) 02920 869 242
Barbara Chick (Cardiff) 02920 597 275
John Jenning (Caerphilly) 07977 150 110

If you do not know a local bee keeper, contact your local authority and ask for the pest control department. They have lists of bee keepers in their area who are prepared to collect swarms. The bee keeper might charge for this service.
We have bee keepers registered with the following local authorities: Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

To help you in deciding if you have a swarm please look at our gallery for pictures of what a swarm looks like.