Local beekeepers are often prepared to collect
swarms, though they do not provide a service for wasps nests, bumble bees or
others. The Local Authority may provide a service for wasps nests - contact the
Pest Control at your Town Hall or District Council to enquire.
East Hampshire District Council
keeps
a list of beekeepers and pest controllers as do many councils. Otherwise a
private pest control
contractor can be found via, for instance, the telephone directory.
Swarms of bees normally appear in April, May, June and
July, and consist of a large number of honey bees that form into a cluster,
which may be about the size of a football, and contain as many as 5,000 bees!
This is a natural occurrence and the bees themselves will normally be good
tempered, so there is little danger, although of course the swarm should be
left alone unless experienced in handling them. The swarm will usually
congregate on a bush, tree, wall or similar object, and they normally appear at
about lunch time on warm, dry, and wind free days.
A swarm will usually go away within a day or so unless
captured (and therefore become someone else's problem!), but they can often be
gathered easily by a beekeeper. Once they have established a home they become
much more difficult to collect. It is important that honeybee colonies are not
destroyed; they are important pollinators of crops. Pest controllers will
seldom deal with honeybees and it is best that
a local beekeeper is always consulted once honeybees are found.
A Beekeeper will normally collect a swarm, although if
the swarm is inaccessible, or the bees have moved into a cavity such as a
chimney, hollow tree, or wall, then it may be impossible to collect and if they
are a nuisance then they may need to be destroyed by a pest control
contractor.
Some beekeepers charge for collecting a swarm so be
sure before you make an agreement! Sometimes they will only expect to be
reimbursed the travel expense of attending to a swarm, and should this be
mentioned before arrival then at least you would have been forwarned. Some
beekeepers will collect a swarm because they want the bees to add to their own
stocks. But while the bees are being collected a nice cup of tea will rarely be
declined.
Below is a list of beekeepers who will either collect
swarms or more usually has a list of beekeepers' currently prepared to collect
swarms in their immediate locality.
Before you call, please look at this
questionaire
so that you have the
answers ready. It may make it easier for you if you print it and write the
answers on it.