Bee Swarms and Bee Rescue

Honey bee swarming is a natural process of reproduction that a bee colony goes through in the wild, commercial keeping and domestic keeping.

We offer a free swarm collection service to anyone within a 20 mile radius of Taunton. James has years of experience collecting swarms and is very comfortable at hight. and delicate situations!

(A swarm of bees, is a colony that has not moved into a building, or any confined space.)
We will ask you to send us clear, good quality pictures of the swarm so identification can take place. We do not move bumblebee colonies within our swarm collection service. Bumblebees require delicate planning and revoval. The nest itself needs careful handling and protection. relocation can be difficult but not impossible. This is a chargable service.

For colonies in buildings please call as soon as you suspect you have an issue. The longer you wait, the more the bee colony will build. Saving bees is our priority and always will be. Call us before you call a pest controller. This work is chargable due to the nature of the work, and we will give you a fair assement of the job to remove any colony in your building.

Honey bee swarms

Many people consider swarms of bees to be a sign of good fortune – but beekeepers appreciate that it’s not everyone who wants to share their house or garden with bees. If they are honey bees, beekeepers can usually find a good home for them! Swarming bees may sound and look frightening but they are at their most harmless because they have very little to defend and are away from their hive. It is a natural way for honey bees to expand and find new homes. Many swarms will settle on a branch at first forming a ball anywhere from the size of an orange to a rugby ball. Not all the places they choose are as easy to get to as the picture below. Often they are only with you for a few hours whilst they find a new home and fly off.

Don’t try to deal with the bees yourself.
Leave them to settle down and keep a sensible distance.
Call, message or email a local beekeeper.

South Street Honey operates a swarm collection service – we do not make a charge. Tell us as much as you can. You will be asked questions that help the beekeeper to decide what it’s best to do and whether you have honey bees or some other insect such as bumble bees or wasps. Please remember many beekeepers have full time jobs and families and may not be able to come straight away. We may not be able to help if your bees are inaccessible or turn out not to be honey bees.
Outside the Taunton area your local council (environmental health) or police station may have a list of local beekeepers.
You can search nationally for a swarm collector on the British Beekeepers Association website.