Help! There is a Bee Swarm in my Garden

"Bzzz-ing news, gardeners! Have you come across a swarm of honey bees in your flower bed? Don't bee-fuddle, here's what you need to know!"

Finding a swarm of honey bees in your garden can be a sweet surprise or a buzz-kill, depending on your perspective. But regardless of how you feel about them, it’s important to know what to do if you come across a swarm of honey bees in your garden.

First and foremost, don’t panic! It can be an overwhelming experience. A swarm is loud and busy.

A swarm which we rescued in 2022 locally

Honey bees are generally not aggressive and will only sting if they feel threatened. So, take a step back and observe the swarm from a safe distance. When they are swarming they are very unlikely to sting you as the have more important things to get on with...like finding a new home and setting up shop.

Next, call a local beekeeper. Beekeepers are experts in handling swarms of honey bees and will be able to safely remove the bees and relocate them to a beehive. We are also be able to advise you on the best course of action, and whether the swarm can be removed and relocated. We offer this advice and service locally in Renfrewshire.

Team Paisley Honey rescuing a swarm from a local hedge

If you are unable to find a local beekeeper, you can also contact your local council. They will be able to provide you with a list of beekeepers in your area who can assist you. In the meantime, it’s important to keep your pets and children away from the swarm. The honey bees are likely to be disorientated and may become defensive if they feel threatened, so it’s best to give them some space.

It’s also a good idea to close windows and doors to prevent the honey bees from entering your home. If the bees do enter your home, don’t try to swat them or use insect spray. Instead, call a professional pest control service.

Once the honey bees have been removed, it’s important to consider why they swarmed in the first place. Swarming is a natural part of a honey bee’s life cycle, and it occurs when the colony has outgrown its current home and a new queen bee is produced.

If you have a beehive in your garden, it’s important to regularly check on it and make sure that it is healthy and not overcrowded. If the beehive is overcrowded, it may need to be split into two or more hives to prevent swarming.

8oz of Tripple Filtered Raw Unpasturised Scottish Honey

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In conclusion, finding a swarm of honey bees in your garden can be a sweet surprise or a buzz-kill, but with the right steps and a little bit of honey-tude, you can safely remove the bees and enjoy their sweet presence in your garden. So, don't bee-fuddle, if you come across a swarm of honey bees, just follow these steps and you'll bee-sure to have a honey-tastic experience! For help and advise on swarms in Renfrewshire you can always reach out to us through the website or on WhatsApp by scanning the QR code below.

Our home in Renfrewshire is called Ben Seillean. Ben Seillean means hill of the bees in Scots Gaelic. We love bees and are investing in making the perfect garden to nurture our bees through the year. Heather, lavender, wild flower meadows and beautiful bulbs keep the garden in bloom from early spring to late autumn.

Bumble bee brooch in vintage Victorian style

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We love bees 🐝 everything we plant is selected to attract them and create a vibrant garden full of life and biodiversity.

Check out our range of organic beeswax candles snd soaps. All handmade in Scotland with love ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿