Please Note:. 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!  

Honey bees are precious and if a swarm is encountered, a prompt phone call to one of our swarm co-ordinators can result in a new colony of bees being established. Please help us save our honey bees - there is always a beekeeper waiting to nurture a new colony.  Whilst we do not charge for our services, our volunteers kindly give up their time and expertise to help, so donations to our Association are always gratefully received.

Regrettably - we cannot remove bees from chimneys, cavity walls etc as we are not steeplejacks or builders.  If they are very high in trees, we will also not risk our members climbing to retrieve them.  We will not remove bumble bees or solitary bees - where possible, callers are always encouraged to "live with and enjoy" them.  Their seasons are short and they play a significant role in the pollination of our food.  Also, we will not remove wasp or hornet nests. For wasps and hornets, callers are advised to contact their local pest controller. 

A Honey Bee Swarm is quite distinct (see 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.  If you have checked the identification photos below and you still think you have a swarm of honey bees, please use the contact phone numbers provided below or email us using this contact form

Honey Bee Swarm hanging in a tree

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.

                            Honey Bee                                                                            Bumble Bee  

                                                                                                            (Please note: bumble bees will not be collected/removed by beekeepers.

                                                                                                   For information on bumble bees go to http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/)

                       Wasp                                        European Hornet                            Asian Hornet

List of RBKA Swarm Collectors

Please Note:  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