Honey bees are quite dull looking insects with no easily discernible bands of colour. They range in colour from black to golden brown, in Norfolk at least being an uninteresting browny/black. Honey bees will swarm periodically to found a new colony and are the only type of bees to do so. It is not uncommon to experience swarms of 40,000 or so bees but they can be smaller but always reckoned in thousands. They have far more on their minds than attacking humans or domestic animals but should nevertheless be left well alone. Remember, if provoked, honey bees can fly much faster than you can run! Also bear in mind that so-called “killer bees” do not exist in the UK!
If they are all in flight, nothing can be done. However, they will almost certainly start to congregate in a large cluster en route to their new home, often in a tree, shrub or on a wall. They will usually move on within a few hours but sometimes will stay in the cluster for up to a week. Again, they are not a serious risk unless provoked. Sometimes they will take up residence in a cavity wall, a chimney or roof space on your property.
If concerned about a cluster of bees on your property or nearby, please call the relevant contact below who will provide advice and, if appropriate, will undertake its removal. First, however, it is very important that you understand the type of bee you have found.
BUMBLE BEES Normally found in holes in the ground, sometimes in cavity walls. Bumble bees are the least aggressive of flying stinging insects. They are often quite big and very hairy, with different areas of colour according to their type. Ordinarily, the nest will die out in the autumn and you will have no further problems.
WASPS Wasps can be unpredictable and aggressive – leave well alone. They are distinctively black and yellow in clearly defined bands. They will nest in the ground or any convenient space and have been found in shrubs in a protected part of the garden. Their nests are distinctive – spherical in shape and look like grey papier maché.
OTHER BEES There are other types of bees which are not normally aggressive. They can usually be left alone.
BEES GENERALLY All bees and wasps undertake valuable work in your garden, either by pollination or controlling other pests. They are in decline, so whenever possible, try to encourage and tolerate them.
CONTACTS Remember that the contacts below can only provide assistance with honey bee swarms. Furthermore, they can only enter property with the consent of the owner/tenant and may not be able to assist where the bees are inaccessible. No charge per se is made for collecting a swarm although the collector may request expenses. Please ring the contact in the Council area where the bees are found.
Norfolk Beekeepers information about swarms
https://norfolkbeekeepers.org.uk/swarms/
Picture by Elizabeth Dack