With spring fast giving way to summer, and temperatures rising, colonies of bees are likely to start looking for new hives.

According to the British Beekeepers Association most swarms occur on warm sunny days between May until the end of July between 11am and 4pm. 

Swarming is the process by which honey bee colonies reproduce to form new colonies.

A real honey bee swarm can be extremely dramatic involving many thousands of bees in a large noisy cloud. 

However, they normally settle into a cluster within 15 minutes.

If you see a swarm, you can use the British Beekeepers Association website to find the nearest beekeeper to help.

What should I do if I spot a swarm of bees?

  • Bumblebees are best left alone.
  • Don't use chemicals or other products on them. 
  • Swarming bees usually don’t sting but it is wise to stay away from the swarm and keep children and pets indoors.
  • It is best to call a beekeeper to see if they are able to remove the swarm.