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Honeybee swarm
Thousands of bees in a hanging cluster, often the size of a rugby ball, on a branch, fence, post or hedge. Before they settle, a noisy cloud of bees in the air.
Newton Abbot and nearby
Seen a swarm?
A swarm is a colony on the move. It's usually calm, it's only resting, and it will be gone within a day or two. Tell us where it is, and if we can come we'll collect it and give it a new home.
We collect swarms in
- Newton Abbot
- Kingsteignton
- Kingskerswell
- Abbotskerswell
- Ipplepen
- Ogwell
Somewhere else? The British Beekeepers Association lists volunteer swarm collectors by postcode.
Is it a honeybee swarm?
Leave them be
Bumblebees
Round, fluffy and fewer in number, nesting in a bird box, compost heap or under a shed. They're gentle and useful, and the nest dies away by late summer. We can't move them.
Not bees
Wasps and hornets
A papery nest, and bare, shiny striped insects. These need a pest controller. If you think you've seen an Asian hornet, report it with the Asian Hornet Watch app.
Report a swarm
James gets a text straight away. If he's free to collect, he'll call you back. A photo helps a lot.
While you wait
What to do
- Keep your distance. Swarming bees are full of honey and rarely sting, but keep children and pets back.
- Don't spray or disturb them. Water, smoke and insect spray only make things worse.
- Watch where they go. If the cluster lifts off, a quick note of the direction helps.
- Can't wait? The British Beekeepers Association lists volunteer swarm collectors by postcode.