What to Do If You Find a Swarm of Honeybees

Discovering a swarm of honeybees in your garden can be surprising — even alarming — but don’t panic. Swarming is a natural part of the bees’ reproductive cycle, and swarms are usually not aggressive. Learn more about this in our Honeybee Behaviour section.

Stay Calm and Observe from a Distance

Honeybee swarms may look dramatic, but they are typically docile during this stage. The bees are focused on protecting their queen and finding a new home — not on attacking. Keep pets and children away, and do not disturb or spray them.

Do Not Attempt to Move the Swarm Yourself

Handling or disturbing a swarm can be dangerous without proper training and equipment. Never try to smoke, brush, or hose bees away. It could provoke them and lead to stings or injury.

Check if It’s Really Honeybees

Many people confuse honeybee swarms with wasps or bumblebees. Honeybees are smaller and fuzzier than wasps and tend to cluster together in a ball-shaped mass. If you’re unsure, take a photo from a safe distance and compare online, or contact a local beekeeper. Visit our Anatomy page to help with identification.

Contact a Local Swarm Collector

In the UK, many beekeepers volunteer to collect swarms. You can search the BBKA Swarm Map to find a registered collector near you, or contact us at BeezKnees for advice.

What Happens Next?

If the swarm is accessible and confirmed to be honeybees, the collector will usually place them into a hive box and remove them safely. The bees are then rehomed to a managed apiary where they can continue their vital pollination work. To understand more about why this matters, visit our Pollination page.

Remember – Swarms Are a Sign of a Healthy Bee Population

While they may look intimidating, swarms are a completely natural process. By calling a beekeeper, you’re helping protect bees and support local biodiversity. Find other ways to help on our Help the Bees page.

Contact BeezKnees for Help

If you're unsure what to do, or would like us to help identify a swarm, email us at info@beekeeping.com.