During early summer, honey bees can form swarms and set out to find a home. They do this as a natural instinct in order to increase their population. If you find a swarm, we may be able to help you by safely removing it to a new home. Please follow the advice below:

1. DO NOT PANIC - contrary to popular belief a swarm of honey bees is not dangerous if you keep your distance.
2. DO NOT TRY TO DISTURB THE SWARM - often the swarm will stay in the same place for a while and does not pose an immediate threat.
3. MAKE SURE THAT THE INSECTS YOU ARE OBSERVING ARE HONEY BEES. Honeybees vary in colour, from almost black (like a house-fly) to golden brown (like a teddy bear).If a swarm is in progress, you will see a lot of bees flying and milling about over about a ten to twenty metre area – the air will appear thick with bees. If you watch carefully from a safe distance you will see the activity is centred around a cluster of bees on a branch (or sometimes a man-made object) usually some way off the ground. Eventually, in an hour or less, the flying activity will more-or-less cease and the hanging cluster of bees will remain in place. Often this cluster will look like a rugby ball.  This is a SWARM – it can be collected by a beekeeper and turned back into a productive honey-bee colony. Eventually, if left to itself, this cluster will fly off to a new home, usually within 24 hours.
4. IF THE SWARM IS HONEY BEES, CALL ONE OF OUR MEMBERS BELOW. Start with the closest to you!
   
   

   NAME	LOCATION	POSTCODE	LINK TO MAP	CONTACT DETAILS
   Andy Burne	Temple Sowerby	CA10 1RZ		Tel: 01768 361135 Mob: 07808 095779
   Neil Cruickshank	Maulds Meaburn	CA10 3HX		Tel: 01931 715027 Mob: 07989 432462
   David Galloway	Crosby Garrett	CA17 4HQ		Tel: 017683 71198 Mob: 07891 247891

The BBKA website has more information on swarming and identification of insects. CLICK HERE TO SEE IT.