How to be notified of swarms for collection
Your NEWBKA online application form contains a section to tick if you wish to be added to the BBKA online swarm collectors’ map.
Your location and phone number will be shown on the online map and members of the public will be able to see this and contact you directly.
Please only feature on this map if you are confident collecting swarms, have the necessary equipment and are available to do so.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/find-a-local-swarm-collector
The Initial Call
Try to ascertain the following information when taking a call about a swarm of bees. Ask to be sent photographs if this is possible. This will help you determine whether you need the assistance of another beekeeper, what equipment to take and whether you should pass the information to another more experienced swarm collector:
- Basic contact details and location of the swarm – are you most local or is it worthwhile passing the information to another better placed beekeeper?
- Is this a swarm of honeybees, or instead something else like wasps, solitary bees, hornets or bumblebees, that you cannot help with? Ask for a description or ideally photos.
- Where is the swarm located? Is it even accessible and if it is, does the height and position require any ladders or steps. If the swarm has entered an internal space such as a loft or chimney, someone with more specialised abilities may be required.
- How long have the bees been present? Have they started building comb in which case you will require equipment to remove the comb as well as the bees?
- How large is the swarm? This will impact on what equipment you take.
- Ask to be advised immediately if the swarm leaves before your arrival.
- Check if anyone else has been asked to attend to deal with the swarm, to avoid wasting time, and ask that no-one else be contacted after you have agreed to respond.
Equipment
To allow you to respond quickly to calls for swarm collection, it is sensible to have the following equipment handy, in addition to your standard beekeeping equipment:
- Small polynuc, skep, cardboard box or similar to transport the bees;
- Bee brush and feathers to help remove the bees from the swarm;
- Large sheet to place underneath your nuc/skep for bees to be brushed onto;
- Section of cardboard to make a “bee-bridge” from the ground to the nuc/skep entrance for the bees to enter;
- Torch or headlamp if at night;
- Secateurs or clippers to remove sections of vegetation (always make sure you ask permission to do this first);
Insurance Position
Your BBKA insurance will only cover you working at a height of up to 3 metres, anything higher than this may require specialist equipment such as scaffolding and should be left to an expert.
Assessment
As you receive more information about the swarm, you will need to make an assessment about whether you will be able to remove it yourself.
You are under no obligation to remove a swarm. If you are not confident that you or the public will be safe with you removing the swarm, decline and contact another swarm collector to hand over the request.
You will need to factor in your experience as a beekeeper and swarm collector, whether you will have the assistance of another person, what equipment you have and the circumstances of the swarm itself.
Consider the following in particular:
- The temperament of the bees – although swarming bees are often placid this is not always the case;
- The location of the bees – new swarm collectors should not undertake swarm removals where the swarm is in an enclosed space, at height, in roof space, requires the removal of masonry or tiles, where there is no floor or inadequate lighting.
Public safety and liability
Be aware that the actions you take in removing a swarm could expose you personally to legal liability in the event that a member of the public is injured, or property damage occurs as a result of your actions / inactions.
- When receiving the call or upon arrival, ask those near the swarm to stand a safe distance away whilst you remove the swarm and for nearby windows to be closed, as there are likely to be many airborne bees;
- Do not remove masonry, tiles or make any alterations to buildings unless you are qualified and confident to do so and are appropriately insured. This could lead to injury or property damage;
- Ensure that you have appropriate consent to enter the land you need to access to remove the swarm, do not trespass.
Removal
- How you remove the swarm will vary depending on the circumstances and where the swarm is.
- Removal is normally a 2-stage process – firstly placing the bees in the nuc/skep/box and leaving it open, then later returning that evening once the bees are inside to close and remove the nuc/skep/box.
- If possible, place the nuc/skep/box underneath the swarm and using whatever tool appropriate (brush / feather / hand) gently move the bees down into the skep/nuc.
- Drawn comb in the nuc/skep/box may encourage the bees into it;
- If you can see the queen, you can cage her and place the cage in the nuc/skep to stop her absconding and draw in the other bees.
- If you cannot see the queen, then keep an eye out for the bees fanning to disperse pheromone from the Nasonov Gland, at the entrance to the nuc/skep signalling to draw other bees in. This may signal that the queen is inside.
- Spread a sheet on the ground. With the majority of the swarm in the nuc/skep/box, turn the container over so that the opening is down and in the centre of the sheet.
- Place a stone or block of wood under the edge if you are using a box or skep turned upside down, to retain an entrance for stragglers. Keep the entrance open if you are using a nuc;
- In the evening, remove the block, invert the box/skep again and draw up the sheet to totally enclose the box during transfer to the apiary. The sheet can be tied with string to prevent any bees escaping. If using a nuc, simply spray a little mist water on the entrance to encourage any stragglers inside, then fully close the adjustable entrance;
- When transporting the bees, it is often advisable to keep your protective bee suit and gloves on, and make sure that the nuc/skep is secure.
Rehoming
- Isolate the bees from other bee colonies until you can check for disease;
- Do not feed for around 48 hours so that the honey in the bees’ stomachs is turned into wax to draw out the comb, rendering any diseases carried in it inert. Then consider giving some syrup to help the bees draw out the foundation.
- Assess the temperament of the bees in the weeks that follow and re-queen if necessary.
Flowchart
Please also see the flowchart below, which should help you decide how to act in the event of being called upon to collect a swarm:
