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The first thing to do is to work out what insects you are looking at.
Unless you know the differences, honey bees, bumblebees, wasps, hornets and other yellow and black flying insects can cause confusion. Bee keepers are only allowed to collect honey bee swarms. Please look at the images below to check you have a honey bee swarm before contacting your local swarm collector. Furthermore, swarm collectors can only enter property with the consent of the owner/tenant and may not be able to assist where the bees are inaccessible. |
A typical swarm of honey bees clustered together on a branch.
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Some images of typical honey bee swarms. They don't always read the rule book though.
If you think you have a swarm of honey bees
Enter your postcode in the box below to find your nearest honey bee swarm collectors:
Enter your postcode in the box below to find your nearest honey bee swarm collectors:
Before contacting your local swarm collector, please have the following details to hand as these are all questions that the swarm collector will ask:
- Size of the swarm – size of a rugby ball, a football, a tennis ball?
- Location of the swarm and how accessible it is - postcode of property/swarm, is there a side gate that the collector can use? Is the swarm at head height or will a step ladder be needed?
- How long the swarm has been there? - swarms may not stay in one place for long with swarms that are greater than 9ft from the ground regularly moving on within 24 hours
This service is undertaken entirely by volunteers, some of whom work full time, so should your call be unanswered please try phoning another collector.
It is wise to keep away from the swarm and prevent children and dogs from getting close. Honeybee swarms can appear very frightening, especially to children, and dogs can cause trouble by getting too excited if the swarm is within reach. In fact, when honeybees swarm, they are probably at their most docile, they are simply focused on looking for a new home and looking after the queen who is travelling with them. They do not “look for trouble” and you will be pleased to know that the “Killer Bees” seen in movies do not exist in the UK.
If you have wasps or hornets:
Please note that SABKA are unable to remove wasp or hornet nests. If you have a problem with wasps, please first visit St Albans City & District Council (Wasp information) if you are on benefits to see if you qualify for removal for a discounted fee, or otherwise contact:
For professional wasp control:
Andy Chittenden
www.fc-pestcontrol.co.uk
07916 903253
andy_chitts@hotmail.co.uk
For professional wasp control:
Andy Chittenden
www.fc-pestcontrol.co.uk
07916 903253
andy_chitts@hotmail.co.uk