Swarms
& Unwanted Bees
If you’ve found a cluster of honey bees in your garden or nearby, don’t panic — help is available. This page explains what a swarm is, how to tell the difference between a temporary swarm and bees nesting in a building, and when action may (or may not) be needed.
You’ll find a map and list of local swarm collectors who can offer advice or attend if necessary. Please note that a fee may be charged for a beekeeper to visit or remove a swarm. Where bees have settled inside buildings, removal can be more complex and costs may be higher, as specialist access and building repairs are often required.
Not all swarms need to be collected — if they are not causing a problem, leaving them to move on or establish naturally can play an important role in supporting our local bee population.
*LLEBKA provides contact details only and is not responsible for fees, availability, or work carried out by individual beekeepers.
What is a Swarm?
A swarm is a natural and important part of a honey bee’s life cycle. In late spring and early summer, a healthy colony may divide, with the old queen leaving the hive alongside thousands of worker bees to form a new home. Before they settle, the bees often gather temporarily in a cluster — on a tree branch, fence, wall, or garden structure. This can look dramatic, but it is usually calm and short-lived.
Swarming bees are not aggressive. They have no hive to defend and are focused on protecting their queen and finding a suitable new nesting place. In many cases, the swarm will move on by itself within a few hours or days.
Do All Swarms Need to Be Collected?
No — and this is important.
If a swarm is not causing a problem and is in a safe place, it can be best to leave it alone. Allowing swarms to establish naturally helps support the local wild bee population and strengthens the resilience of our native honey bees.
Swarms that settle naturally in trees or other suitable locations play a vital role in maintaining healthy, locally adapted bee populations — especially here on the Llŷn Peninsula, where wild colonies contribute to natural varroa resistance.
Swarm or Bees in a Building?
It’s important to tell the difference:
A swarm:
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Appears suddenly as a large cluster of bees
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Is usually found outdoors on a branch, post, or wall
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Is calm and temporary
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Often moves on naturally
Bees in a building:
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Are flying in and out of the same gap or hole
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May be inside walls, chimneys, roofs, or sheds
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Are establishing a permanent nest
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Require different advice and should not be treated as a swarm
When Should You Ask for Help?
You may wish to contact a local swarm collector if:
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The swarm is in a busy public area
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It poses a risk to people or pets
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It has moved into a building or enclosed space
Our map of local volunteer swarm collectors can help you find someone experienced who understands both safety and conservation.