Report a Bee Swarm
Found a swarm?
It’s natural for honey bees to swarm; every spring the queen lays thousands of eggs each day and after three weeks those eggs start to hatch, introducing thousands of new bees into the hive. It doesn’t take long for an average size colony to grow and become too big for its hive so some of them look for a new home, along with their queen; this is one of the reasons why honey bees swarm.
If a swarm lands in your garden please report it via the form below and either myself or another beekeeper in the local area will come over and try to remove it, bringing it back to one of our apiaries and giving it a lovely new home.
My home location is Hedenham near Bungay on the Suffolk/Norfolk border (NR35 2DQ) so this is the best area for collection by me but we are expanding our beekeepers across Norfolk and Suffolk so will try to help.
If you’d like to see some footage of me removing some swarms take a look at my You Tube channel.
Report a swarm here:
We are working with Bee Watch to arrange collection of honey bee swarms and Sunnyfields is a co-ordinator for the Suffolk and Norfolk area.
If you have found a swarm please complete this form and someone will be in touch asap to help.
If on mobile- please turn phone on side (landscape) to complete the form.
Please note that swarm collectors typically handle swarms that are easily accessible, such as those on low branches or fences. Swarms located at significant heights or in hazardous locations may require professional assistance.
Swarm collectors are volunteers who offer their time to help rehome honey bee swarms. They do not charge for this service – and as it's a voluntary effort, they are also unable to offer payment to collect a swarm. Availability may vary based on factors like time of day, weather conditions, and personal commitments.
What does a honey bee swarm look like?
A honey bee swarm is one of nature’s most remarkable sights – a living, buzzing mass of bees on the move. When you see a swarm that’s landed, it usually appears as a large, huddled cluster of bees hanging from a tree branch, fence post, or even a garden bench. This is a temporary stopover – a sort of ‘pit-stop’ – while scout bees search for a new home, such as a hollow tree or an empty cavity.
Despite appearances, a swarm is usually calm. The bees are focused on protecting their queen and staying together, not on defending themselves. However, it’s still best to keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing them.
A typical swarm contains one queen and thousands of worker bees – all female – with a few male drones sometimes tagging along for the ride. This whole event is a natural part of the honey bee lifecycle and is how colonies reproduce and expand.
If you think you've found a swarm, don’t worry – help is available! We can help you identify if it's really a honey bee swarm and guide you to the right support.
Is it Really a Honey Bee Swarm?
Not everything that buzzes and gathers in a clump is a honey bee swarm – and that’s okay! It's easy to mistake other insects for honey bees, especially in the warmer months. Here are a few tips to help tell the difference:
🐝 Honey Bee Swarm
Appears as a large, tightly packed cluster of bees – sometimes the size of a football or larger.
Usually settles in a tree, shrub, or sheltered spot like a fence or garden ornament.
Bees are generally calm, not flying aggressively.
Happens in late spring to early summer.
The bees are brown and fuzzy, and about 1.2cm long.
🐝 Bumblebees
Much larger and rounder than honey bees, with a very fuzzy appearance.
Often nest in holes in the ground, compost bins, or under sheds.
You’ll see a few coming and going, not a large clump.
Bumblebees rarely swarm and are best left undisturbed – they’re important pollinators too.
🐝 Common Wasps
Slimmer bodies with a shiny, smooth appearance and bright yellow/black stripes.
More aggressive than bees, especially later in summer.
Nest in lofts, sheds, or under eaves – often you’ll see a steady stream in and out of a single point.
Don’t form swarms like honey bees do.
🐝 Solitary Bees
Nest alone or in small groups, often in sandy soil or old masonry.
Not aggressive and don’t swarm.
Can look similar to honey bees but are usually smaller.
If you’re unsure, feel free to send us a photo or contact us before taking any action. We’re happy to help identify what you’re seeing – and point you in the right direction if it turns out not to be honey bees.
Bees in Roofs, Walls or Chimneys?
If you’re seeing bees regularly coming and going from a small hole in a wall, roof, or chimney, you may have a settled or established colony – not a swarm.
These colonies have likely been in place for some time, and removing them is a specialist job that usually cannot be done by a volunteer swarm collector.
Here’s how to tell the difference:
A swarm is a visible clump of bees, hanging outdoors on a tree, post, or bush.
An established colony will have bees flying in and out of a small opening (brickwork, eaves, roof tiles, chimney, etc.), but no visible cluster.
Swarm collectors are unable to remove bees from buildings or enclosed spaces – it often involves removal of parts of the structure, specialist equipment, and knowledge of safe bee relocation.
If you think you have a colony in your property:
Do not block the entrance – it may force the bees indoors.
Do not attempt removal yourself.
Contact a professional pest control company with experience in live bee relocation, or a specialist live removal service.