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Honey bees

There are oǀer ϮϱϬ tLJpes of bees in the UK bƵt there is onlLJ one eƵropean honeLJ bee (Apis mellifera). SadlLJ oƵr HoneLJ Bees are not protected species so theLJ need oƵr help and sƵpport more than eǀer. TheLJ are ǀital for pollinaƟon of crops and manLJ floǁering plants.

Why do bees swarm?

Sǁarming is a honeLJ bee colonLJ's natƵral means of reprodƵcƟon. In the process of sǁarming, a single colonLJ splits into tǁo or more disƟnct colonies. In this state the bees ǁill be docile and shoƵld be qƵite easilLJ be collected bLJ a beekeeper. A sǁarm is ƵsƵallLJ a temporarLJ phenomenon as the bees ǁill be sending oƵt scoƵts to look for a permanent home. When a neǁ home is foƵnd, ƵsƵallLJ ǁithin Ϯϰ hoƵrs, the bees ǁill flLJ off to start a neǁ colonLJ. Sǁarms in the Neǁ Forest normallLJ occƵr betǁeen April ƵnƟl mid-JƵlLJ.

Are swarms dangerous?

A sǁarm of bees are generallLJ ƵnlikelLJ to sƟng. When bees sǁarm, theLJ ǁill gather in a ten to tǁentLJ metre area and ǁill trLJ to clƵster on a branch or bƵsh or eǀen Ƶnder the eaǀes of a roof. This ǁill conƟnƵe for an hoƵr or so, bƵt theLJ ǁill eǀentƵallLJ seƩle doǁn and the large hanging clƵster of bees ǁill be clearlLJ ǀisible - this is a sǁarm. Call the Sǁarm Coordinator on Ϭϳϵϳϲ ϮϱϴϬϲϮ for help and adǀice.

Are these honey bees?

The most common insects are honeybees, bumblebees and wasps. There are other kinds of insects that are confused with these, such as Ivy bees, Solitary bees and hornets.

If LJoƵ need assistance ǁith idenƟfLJing or rehoming a sǁarm, the Neǁ Forest Beekeepers’ AssociaƟon has a list of edžperienced beekeeping members in the area that help in the re-homing of honeLJbee sǁarms. Need help?

To identify or rehome a swarm, please send pictures of the swarm to the swarm coordinator or contact them on 07976 258062

The Neǁ Forest Beekeepers host talks on a range of bee related sƵbjects eǀerLJ third ThƵrsdaLJ of a month normallLJ at the LLJndhƵrst CommƵnitLJ Centre, bƵt noǁ on Zoom!