Bumble bees build small nests in gardens, compost heaps, bird boxes etc. They do not grow to large colonies and generally do not bother people. Towards the end of summer virgin queens are produced and the nest will die off. The queens hibernate over winter and start the whole process again next spring, not necessarily in the same nest location.

As bumble bees are a protected species beekeepers cannot disturb them. So if you can leave them to get on with their work over the summer they should not bother you. You will also be able to watch important pollinators go about their work.

Wasps are sometimes mistaken for bees. The way to tell the difference is that wasps have yellow legs and bees do not. If you have wasps you may need to contact a pest controller as they can become troublesome during summertime.

 Just a small swarm of honey bees.

If you find a swarm arriving in your garden:-  

1. DON'T PANIC !   Swarming bees may sound and look frightening but they are at their most harmless because they have very little to defend and are away from their hive.  Often they are only with you for a few hours whilst they find a new home and fly off.
   
2. Leave them to settle down and keep a sensible distance.
   
3. Call for a beekeeper - see the list below. Tell the beekeeper as much as you can. You will be asked questions that help the beekeeper to decide what it's best to do and whether you have honey bees or some other insect such as bumble bees or wasps. Don't be upset if the first beekeeper you call cannot help - they are all volunteers, and have jobs to do too.
   
4. Enjoy watching the beekeeper at work putting the swarm in a container to take away.
   
5. Make a donation to the Beekeepers Association.  A beekeeper is not paid and is doing you a favour since the bees may be a nuisance to him or her, due to the expense, time and trouble of fetching and checking them, and also treating for diseases before they can safely be put with other bees.  A commercial firm may charge you as much as £40 to remove a swarm, if they will do it at all.
   
6. Don't expect beekeepers to do anything about swarms in inaccessible places such as chimneys or vents. Our insurance does not cover us for taking risks, and we cannot undertake any structural work to get at bees for the same reason.
   

Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association
Swarm Collectors - 2011
Check first column to find someone in your local area - if you are not based in Bedfordshire, PLEASE contact your local Beekeeping Association.

Also, PLEASE search for someone in your local area - do not pick the first person on the list. It is not reasonable for someone based in the south of county to travel 20 miles plus to catch a swarm when there are people based all over the county who can collect them. Remember, this is for HONEY BEES only, for all queries about Bumble Bees, Solitary Bees or Wasps contact your local pest control company.