Swarm Collection / Collectors

Peter Clark West End, SO30	07867 557964	02038 1942220
Simon Clark West End, SO30	07977 090256
Louise Evans Botley, SO30	07434 952900
Gemma Hare Hedge End	07715 284186
Richard Read Fair Oak, SO50	07485 407963
Lisa Rooke Shedfield	07514 330624
Peter Tomlin Hedge End, SO30	07777 664641
Simon Fitzjohn Southampton SO14	07496 156157

If you are reading this page in other parts of England, you can find a local swarm collector using this map. British Beekeepers’ Association swarm map

When you call, the beekeeper will ask you a few questions:

Have the bees settled into a cohesive ball?

After a while, the swarm will settle down into a relatively still ball of bees; maybe about the size of a rugby ball or watermelon but it could be bigger than that.

Does the swarm look like these pictures?

We’re sorry but we can only deal with honey bee swarms. We cannot remove wasps’ nests, hornets or bumble bees.

Is the swarm accessible?

Sometimes the bees settle on a low branch or fence and are easy to collect. They may settle in a tree or guttering and the beekeeper will need to discuss access with you.

How long has the swarm been there?

Do you mind us trimming your hedge or tree?

Strange question you may think! It’s not that we’re popping round to do the gardening but sometimes bees settle in foliage and the only way to remove them is to cut leaves and branches from shrubs or trees.

Have you got the kettle on?

Depending on what stage the swarm is at, the beekeeper may be at your house for sometime. We must allow all the bees that are due to join the swarm to do so, or you’ll be left with a group of demoralised, homeless bees. If you’d like to know more about swarming and why bees do it, click here.