Got A Swarm of Bees?

Do you have a swarm of BEES?

First of all you need to establish exactly what you have got!

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?

Leave them alone if possible. Bumblebees are an important pollinator and rarely sting. Bumblebees are under threat of extinction.

Beekeepers will not collect/remove Bumblebees.

For more information contact the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

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, they are harmless and as their name suggest live more or less alone. They aren't interested in you and should be left alone.

  Beekeepers will not collect/remove Solitary Bees.

   

All the above information has been sourced from the British Beekeeper Association, for lots more information about beekeeping please use the link on the right side of the blog to visit their site

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.

Beekeepers will not collect/remove Wasps.

For more information about Wasps go to BWARS.

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 Hornets

Beekeepers will not collect/remove Hornets.

For more information go to BWARS.

Honeybees

Honeybees are small and vary in colour from golden brown to almost black.

If you are looking at these then please contact your local Swarm Collector who will come and collect your Honeybee swarm.