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Swarms

Honey bee swarms

A strong, healthy honey bee colony can be expected to swarm at least once each year, replicating the colony and propagating the queen’s genes. It’s a risky business for the bees; a swarm will have 25% chance or less of success. So much depends on the choice of their new home, the forage that surrounds it, and of course the weather. Beekeepers collect swarms of honey bees to improve their chance of survival by providing a good nest site, food when needed, and health care.

A swarm of honey bees is distinctive; in flight, they are like a cloud of bees flying excitedly. You will hear them before you see them.

The swarm then clusters into a tight, brown mass of thousands of bees while scout bees fly hither and thither seeking a new home. This takes anything from a few minutes to a few days, but usually a few hours.

Then activity increases, the swarm takes off and heads for its new home.

Getting help

Every effort should be made to preserve honey bees as they – like many other insect species – are struggling to cope with the changes in their environment. One of our swarm officers can arrange for safe removal of a honey bee swarm if you are in the Romsey and District area. Please call:
The Romsey Swarm Line on 07469 885597
We cover the area from Broughton round to Braishfield, through Eastleigh, to Cadnam and Landford, up to West Tytherley and Lockerley; and beyond.

Not sure if they are honey bees?

Please CLICK HERE to go to the excellent British Beekeepers Association website where
you will find images to help you identify whether the insects you see are honey bees or something else.

On the same web page you can enter your postcode and click a button to find your nearest honey bee swarm collector wherever you are throughout the UK.

When we are asked to collect a swarm

If you call us, you will be asked about the position, size and behaviour of the swarm.
Collecting a swarm requires two visits: firstly to set up a box and encourage the bees to move in, and later at night when all of the flying bees have returned to remove the box and the bees.
Please be aware that there is normally a small charge to cover the collector’s travel expenses.

When we cannot help

Honey bees can unfortunately build feral colonies in awkward, unwanted places: in roofs, loft spaces or within the structure of a building. If bees are difficult to reach because of height, building structure or restricted access, a survey is often essential before a solution can be put in place. If we cannot help, we will always try to offer advice on whom to approach for the safe removal. Contact our Hon. Secretary at rdbkasec@gmail.com

“Pest” control

Romsey and District Beekeepers’ Association cannot help with removal of wasps, hornets, house bugs, mice, rats etc. We can suggest bee friendly professional pest control services who can help in that situation. Contact our Hon. Secretary at rdbkasec@gmail.com to discuss your insect issues.