Lincolnshire beekeeper’s advice on what do do if you see a swarm of bees

People are being warned to watch out for swarms of bees and know what to do if they find one.

According to beekeeping experts, a warmer than average spring has resulted in bees beginning to swarm two weeks earlier than they normally would each year.

Richard Griffin, chairman of Stamford and Bourne Beekeepers Association, said: “Last year, as a club we were inundated with calls from people who had spotted swarms in their gardens or where they might cause some alarm.”

As a result, the association’s website includes provision for people to report swarms, and Richard is happy to coordinate a collection of the bees, if necessary.

He said: “Swarming is a completely natural process, which creates new colonies, and can occur for a variety of reasons.

“The bees may decide that their existing home is not large enough, they need a new queen, or that they simply need to find more food or water.

“The existing queen leaves the hive to find a new home with some of her bees, but will only depart once she is sure a new queen will hatch to replace her.

“Once the bees have decided to leave, they gorge on food to sustain themselves until they find a new home.”

Richard added that it is at this point they may been seen hanging in a cluster or ‘swarm’, sometimes in trees or on headstones or walls, until ‘scout’ bees decide on their new home.

“They could cluster for a matter of hours or sometimes stay for several days,” he said. “Swarms are generally well behaved as their only function as a cluster is to protect and keep their queen warm.”

However, people are reminded to keep their distance to avoid being stung.

Most swarms happen on warm, sunny days between 11am and 4pm from early May to the end of July.

Anyone wishing to report a swarm in the south Lincolnshire area can visit https://sbbka.co.uk/get-help-with-a-swarm/.

There is an online contact form which can be completed.