From Swarm to Safety: Honey Bee Swarm Relocation

Over the past few years, many organisations and individuals have sought to raise awareness about bees and their importance. The British Beekeepers Association, Friends of the Earth, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The Wildlife Trusts to name but a few, have worked to protect and promote bee populations for several crucial reasons.

Why are Honey Bees Important?

Honey bees are incredibly important for several reasons:

1. Pollination: Honey bees are one of the most important pollinators for many plants and crops. They transfer pollen from male to female flower parts, which allows plants to produce fruits and seeds. In fact, it is estimated that one-third of the food we eat relies on honey bees and other pollinators.
2. Food Production: Honey bees provide us with honey, which is a natural sweetener and has several health benefits. In addition, they also produce beeswax, which is used in cosmetics, candles, and other products.
3. Biodiversity: Honey bees play an important role in maintaining biodiversity by pollinating wildflowers and plants, which provide food for other wildlife such as birds, insects, and mammals.
4. Agriculture: Honey bees play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by helping to maintain the health and productivity of crops. By pollinating crops, they help to increase yields and improve the quality of fruits and vegetables.
5. Climate Change: Honey bees play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change by pollinating plants, which helps to increase carbon sequestrations and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

What is Honey Bee Swarming?

A honey bee swarm is a natural occurrence that happens when a queen bee and a large group of worker bees leave their original hive and search for a new location to establish a new colony. Swarming typically occurs in the spring or early summer when the hive population has grown too large to support its current location. Swarms can consist of thousands of bees and can be quite large and intimidating to people who are not familiar with them.

During a swarm, the bees will cluster together in a temporary location, such as a tree branch, while scout bees search for a new nesting site. Once a suitable location is found, the bees will fly to the new site and begin constructing a new hive. Swarms are an important part of the natural life cycle of honey bees, and they are essential for maintaining the health and vitality of bee populations.

I have found a Honey Bee Swarm on My Property, what can I do?

Bees are currently not protected by any UK law, and therefore can be treated. However, as stated above, honey bees are so important, and sadly their numbers are in decline. The BPCA suggest leaving the bees and their nest alone if possible, or relocation if there is a need to move them.

Leave Them Bee

Bees will only sting if provoked and will not cause damage to your property, therefore it is best to leave a honey bee swarm alone and let them move on when a new nesting site is found.

Time to Relocate

If there is a need to relocate honey bees, e.g., due to safety concerns, it is advisable to call in the professionals.

A Safe Solution

At Avon Pest Control, we aim to provide environmentally friendly solutions to difficult situations.  We endeavour to leave honey bees where they are whenever possible, however, we also offer a safe transfer process, which will responsibly remove honey bees from your property and carefully relocate them to a suitable site. Relocation is important to preserve honey bee populations, ensuring their continued role in pollination.

If you require honey bee relocation, look no further than Avon Pest Control.  Call today on 01926 632 929 or 01789 293 463, or click here to send us a message.