The following information will help you to identify different kinds of bees. It will make sure that you can provided the correct information when it comes to collecting a Honey Bee Swarm. Beekeepers deal just with Honey Bee Swarms. We DO NOT deal with Bumble Bees, Wasps, Hornets or Flies. That is not because we do not want to help, it is because there are services and organisations who can help in a better way than we can. Please be also aware that not all Beekeepers are able to collect swarms and that only safely accessible Honey Bee Swarms can be collected. However, your local Beekeeper Association should have a Swarm Hotline where you can find someone who can give you more information about swarm collection in your area. 

I offer a Swarm Collection Service. You can contact me directly when you are in a 30 mile radius of Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I am more than happy to help you in case you see a Honey Bee Swarm. You can find my contact details at the end of the identification information.

How to identify a HONEY BEE SWARM


Are they round and hairy?  Do they have a Yellow, White or Orange band at the tail/rump? Do they make a loud buzzing sound when flying?  Do they bumble around when flying? Are they living in any kind of small box, under decking or a shed, in a compost heap or a hole in the ground?

   
Are they round and hairy?  Are they smaller than Bumble Bees? Do they make a quiet buzzing when flying?  Do they have a black or orange/brown rump? Are they living in a small cavity, tube, under decking or a shed or a hole in the ground?

 

Are they Black with Bright Yellow stripes or Bright Yellow with Black stripes?  Do they have Yellow legs?  Do they appear smooth or with little hair?  Are they appearing from a roof space, airbrick, large hole in the ground or a round nest nest hanging in a tree or shrub?  Do they make a high pitch buzz?  Are they interested in sugary foods?

Are they BIG with a loud buzz?  Are the Black & Yellow at the back & Black with Orange/Brown at the front? Do they a long curved tail?  Are they living in a roof space, shed or tree cavity?

 

Do they Hover in a single position?  Do they make a very low humming sound?  Do they sometimes appear in large numbers?  Black with Yellow or White or Orange stripes?  Don’t appear to live anywhere in particular?

 

Do they have light brown, golden brown or dark brown bands? Does there appear to be many thousands hanging in a clump? Is this clump hanging from a tree, shrub, roof, fencing or post? Are there many hundreds flying around or to/from the clump?

If you have found a Honey Bee Swarm you can contact me directly via my Contact Form and I will get back in touch with you ASAP (I will get a message on my mobile straight after you sent the message via the Contact Form!) or you can give me a call on (COMING SOON!)

Whatever you do please do not disturb a swarm.