Swarms
Is it a swarm?
First of all is it a swarm? It could be a bumblebee nest or lots of solitary bees. Or even a wasps' nest.
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| Queen building nest | Papery nest of a wasp | Wasp nest on window | Wasp working in nest |
Bumblebees and Solitary Bees
These are usually much larger than honeybees and build small nests in compost heaps, under sheds, in loft insulation etc.
They are very beneficial and not a problem if left alone (although they can make a lot of buzzing noise if above your ceiling!). The queens overwinter then set up home in the spring. By early winter she dies as do her workers, her young queens having left to hibernate. Details about these bees are available in a leaflet you can down-load.
Solitary bees are just that - solitary - they live on their own, but they may live close together like people in a block of flats which can give the appearance of a swarm of bees in a bank as they can be quite active comming and going.
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They can be found living in burrows in lawns, sandy banks, walls and even in the stems of plants.
For further information you can surf the web or go to:
Solitary bees
Bumblebee Conservation
Biodiversity Count
Swarms
If you have a swarm of honeybees are in your cavity walls, chimney or soffits we are unlikely to be able to remove them and you would have to seek professional advise (ensure that whom ever you get is qualified and insured).
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| Swarm on telephone junction box near roof | Small swarm in a bush | Swarm inside a car's heater box! | Fine swarm high in an ash tree that has made combs and is now become a colony |
If you have a swarm you want to get rid of ... DON'T PANIC!
Bees in swarms are generally not in a stinging mood but many thousands of bees en masse can be quite intimidating. If you have a swarm you want to get rid of then please contact Amanda Millar, Swarm Coordinator 01273 833258
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; or Heather McNiven tel:01444 241627
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Taking a Swarm
SWARMS are few and far between now. Gone are the days when I would get half a dozen calls in a day so if you are lucky enough to be asked to take a swarm jump at the chance. Taking a swarm can be a piece of cake or a nightmare, try and avoid the latter (high in a tree, up a chimney, in a roof ...). Tudor has prepared a guide to help you take a swarm. This is aimed at the beginner and offers useful advice.
Controlling Swarming
Knowing how to CONTROL SWARMING is of the most important aspects of beekeeping, particularly if you are living in an urban area. Every beekeeper should know what to do when their bees show signs of swarming. To help deal with this aspect of beekeeping one of the several methods of the several available can be downloaded here:
The Pagden Method SWARM CONTROL
Three informative downloads to view:
1. Healthy Bees Plan Quarterly Newsletter for all those interested in honey bee health Issue 2 - January 2010 from FERA.
2. Insect Pollination issued by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.
3. Newsletter FERA National Bee Unit SE Region.
