Phone 07787 123327 or 01485 210841

Honey Bee Swarm Collection Help in Norfolk

I am often called in for the collection and removal of honey bee swarms during the summer, when they can cause considerable concern to householders. I will collect swarms of bees from North Norfolk, West Norfolk or the surrounding area of Norwich and Norfolk. I'm happy to remove swarms of bees from most of Norfolk, especially North Norfolk and West Norfolk (Kings Lynn, Hunstanton, Fakenham, Wells, Holt and surrounding areas) as these are easier for me to get to, being based in Brancaster. However, I will collect swarms from further afield if I have time.

Swarm of bees - what to do.

If you think you have a swarm of bees on your property, the main thing is not to panic as swarming bees are very rarely aggressive unless severely provoked. If left alone, the swarm would almost certainly disappear in a matter of hours or days, but this is not recommended since it may take up residence in a roof, chimney or other place where it causes problems. Far better is to get the swarm removed by an experienced beekeeper who will ensure that the swarm is removed completely and re-housed where it will not cause further inconvenience.

What does a swarm of bees look like?

The photograph top left shows a swarm of bees which had landed on a post box. With careful use of smoke, they were perusaded to leave the post box and enter a special swarm collection box, the only side-effect being some slightly smokey smelling post heading off accross the UK. The swarm is persuaded to enter the swarm collection box by ensuring that the queen is in it - the rest of the bees will follow (in theory). The box was then removed later in the evening when all of the bees had settled down. This is why two visits are normally required to properly remove a swarm of bees.

The photograph middle left shows a swarm of bees that had settled in a rose bush - this was a much easier removal as they were only a couple of feet off the ground. The swarm collection box was simply put around them and the bush given a smart jolt - the bees gently fell into the box, the lid was put on, and all that remained to do was to wait for the bees to settle down for the evening.

The bottom photo shows the entrance to the swarm collection box surrounded by bees who are "fanning" to waft a special scent from the queen bee around to let the other bees know where to come.

If you have a swarm of bees on your property, give me a ring (Leigh Goodsell) on 01485 210841 or 07787 123327 and I may be able to help. If there is no answer from the landline, please call the mobile for a quick answer. If you are unsure whether what you have is a swarm of bees or not, please look at the British Beekeeping Association Swarm Help pages.

If you have found this page, but your swarm is in Leicestershire, please click here for a local swarm collector: Sysonby Knoll

For swarm collection help in other areas of the Country, the following pages will be of benefit: British Bee Swarm Collection, or http://www.wasp-control.co.uk/bee-swarm-collectors.html

Other links - local council departments bee swarm information:

South Norfolk Council

Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

BBC clip about bee swarming:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/European_honey_bee#p005lmkv

Video of a swarm arriving in a bait hive

This video shows a swarm of bees putting themselves into a bait hive.

Bait hives are boxes which have been made attractive to bees by scorching them inside, melting beeswax and spraying bee phermones liberally. Bait hives are put in strategic places in order to catch swarms of honey bees. The bees are then housed into a proper hive, and treated for any disease they may be carrying. They are moved into an isolation apiary (so that in the unlikely event that they are carrying any disease, this won't be spread to the main apiary) and will then into a full honey producing unit. Once they are known to be disease free, the colony can then be put in the main apiaries.