Please note that although swarm collection may still be carried out during the Covid-19 outbreak, extra precautions must be taken, such as social distancing. Please refer to the National Bee Unit's advice here: COVID-19 and Beekeeping Update

FOUND A HONEY BEE SWARM IN OR AROUND READING? Reading and District Beekeepers Association can respond. Please use this contact form or use the contact phone numbers below.

A Honey Bee Swarm is quite distinct (as seen in photo below). It is often found hanging from a branch, in a hedge, on a wall, etc. You may also come across bees after they have set up home, in places such as a cavity, compost heap, roof space etc.

Regrettably - we cannot remove bees from chimneys, cavity walls etc as we are not steeplejacks or builders. Lastly, if they are very high in trees we will not risk our members climbing to retrieve them.

Bumble bees, solitary bees, wasps and hornets will not swarm. To help you identify which you think you may have, take a look at the photos below. If you still think they are honey bees, please contact any of the people in the list below to arrange collection.

(Please note: bumble bees will not be collected/removed by beekeepers. Further information on bumble bees can be found on http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/ )

This is a Honey Bee

This is a Honey Bee Swarm

This is a Bumble Bee

This is a Wasp

A collector may not always be available, so whilst the geographic locations are helpful, please feel free to ring any, or all of the numbers.