What does a Bee Swarm look like?
Honey Bee swarms are one of the wonders of the natural world, part of the reproductive cycle of the honey bee colony and an important part of putting food on our tables. To find out more see here.
So if you have a bee swarm what should you do?
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Contact a bee swarm collector, see here for contact numbers. Some local collectors will collect your honey bee swarm free of charge and do so to help maintain the sadly depleted stocks of feral honey bees.
If you live in Gravesham or it's surrounding area*
*Gravesend, Cobham, Higham, Luddesdown, Meopham, Shorne, Vigo, Culverstone Green, Northfleet, Chalk, Gadshill, Meopham Green, Sole Street, Thong, New Barn, Longfield, New Ash Green, Wrotham, North Kent
you can have your swarm collected free by:
Bruce Medhurst :
Tel 02081330035 , mobile 07985651356
Bruce will remove accessible honey bee swarms free of charge. He does not remove established colonies. Bruce is a member of the BBKA, IBRA and registered with Defra's National Bee Unit.
Alternatively try:
Kent Bee Keepers Association (KBKA): Web: http://www.kentbee.com/kbka/info/swarms/
The KBKA maintains a list of swarm collectors throughout Kent. Collectors may request refunding of their travel costs or a contribution to association funds.
or
If you are outside of Kent :
The British Bee Keepers Association UK National Swarm Coordinators List. This list provides contacts throughout the country. Collectors may request refunding of their travel costs or a contribution to association funds.
If you live in Gravesham or it's surrounding area*
*Gravesend, Cobham, Higham, Luddesdown, Meopham, Shorne, Vigo, Culverstone Green, Northfleet, Chalk, Gadshill, Meopham Green, Sole Street, Thong, New Barn, Longfield, New Ash Green, Wrotham, North Kent
you can have your swarm collected free by:
Bruce Medhurst :
Tel 02081330035 , mobile 07985651356
Bruce will remove accessible honey bee swarms free of charge. He does not remove established colonies. Bruce is a member of the BBKA, IBRA and registered with Defra's National Bee Unit.
Alternatively try:
Kent Bee Keepers Association (KBKA): Web: http://www.kentbee.com/kbka/info/swarms/
The KBKA maintains a list of swarm collectors throughout Kent. Collectors may request refunding of their travel costs or a contribution to association funds.
or
If you are outside of Kent :
The British Bee Keepers Association UK National Swarm Coordinators List. This list provides contacts throughout the country. Collectors may request refunding of their travel costs or a contribution to association funds.
Bees swarm in a tree
Note how passive the bees are despite the close proximity of the video camera.
If you have a bee swarm in your garden you'll find out everything you need to know at 'what do I do if a honey bee swarm is in my garden?'.
Honey bees across the world are in decline so wherever the bee swarm is, it's important that it's carefully removed and re-housed to allow it to build itself back up to full strength and continue its vital role of helping to feed us.
Note how passive the bees are despite the close proximity of the video camera.
If you have a bee swarm in your garden you'll find out everything you need to know at 'what do I do if a honey bee swarm is in my garden?'.
Honey bees across the world are in decline so wherever the bee swarm is, it's important that it's carefully removed and re-housed to allow it to build itself back up to full strength and continue its vital role of helping to feed us.
Are you sure they're honey bees?
If it's a swarm then you've got honey bees . . .
Wasp
Honey Bee
Bumble Bee