Dealing with SwarmsDealing With Swarms
May and June are the peak times for bees to swarm. This is their way of multiplying and maintaining the species.You may see a large cloud of bees flying around in an area, before they eventually cluster onto something, for example a tree branch. The Queen bee is in the middle of this cluster. This is a temporary home whilst they send out scout bees to find the swarm a permanent home. Do not panic, as they will not attack you, they are not aggressive. They are engorged with honey, and are simply moving home! If possible go inside the house and close any windows and doors, otherwise move away from the area to allow them to settle. Keep children and pets away
Are they are bees or wasps?
| Wasp | Bumblebee | Honeybee |
Many people mistake wasps for bees, and many people think that bumblebees are honeybees, when as you can see from the pictures above, they are quite different. Beekeepers are only able to collect a swarm of honeybees, and cannot deal with any other insect problems e.g. wasps nests
Members of Lancaster Beekeepers may be willing to collect accessible swarms of honey bees in the vicinity. However there is no obligation on local beekeepers to provide this service, and please remember that the beekeeper is not insured against personal injury or damage to his/her equipment. They will only give assistance if you accept that the beekeeper will not be held responsible for any damage or injury to you and your property that may occur when attempting to remove the bee's
If you have a swarm of bees, and you know a local beekeeper, it is worth contacting them first. The Police or Environmental Health Department may be able to help, but do not ring 999. Alternatively below is a list of beekeepers who are contactable for possible help in this area.
Click here for a video of a swarm being collected.
Cumbria Area
David Walmsley Tel:01539 721501
36 Oxenholme Road, Kendal LA9 7HH
Will arrange/liaise collection of swarms throughout Cumbria.
Lancashire (South Ribble) Area
Andy Donnelly Tel: 01772 743351 Mobile: 07787758033
36 Studholme Cres, Preston, Lancs.
Will collect swarms within 10 mile radius of South Ribble
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lancashire (North Lancashire) Area
Richard & Linda Wilson Tel: 01524 858247
4 Bazil Grove, Overton, Lancaster, Lancs.
Swarms collected within the Lancaster area by members of our beekeeping association.
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lancashire (West Lancashire) Area
Martin Smith 01695 722728
137 Blaguegate Lane, Skelmersdale, Lancs.
Swarms collected within the West Lancashire area, by members of the local beekeeping association.
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Leyland Area
Paul Aldred Tel: 01772 330159 Mobile 07740 117765
2 Woodcock Estate, Lostock Hall, Leyland, Preston, Lancs. PR5 5XT
Honey bees collected in the South Ribble area of Lancashire.
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it