A newly arrived swarm
A large exposed cluster may pause on a wall, gutter or chimney while scout bees search for a home. If it is accessible and confirmed as honey bees, MDBKA may be able to collect it free of charge.
Calm, practical advice for householders
Bees in a wall, roof or chimney?
Bees repeatedly entering a gap in a building may be a temporary arrival, a bumblebee nest or an established honey-bee colony. Identifying which you have is the safest first step.
What to send Mike
Observe from a distanceDo not block the entrance
Visible clustermay be a temporary honey-bee swarm
Regular flight into a gapmay indicate a nest or established colony
Identification firstdetermines the right kind of help
Start here
What are you seeing?
Watch only from a safe distance. A photograph or short video often provides more useful evidence than trying to approach the entrance.
An established colony
Honey bees steadily using the same small entrance over many days may already have comb inside the structure. This is not a straightforward swarm collection and can require specialist building access.
Bumblebees or wasps
Furry bumblebees often use bird boxes, roof eaves or cavities for a short seasonal nest. Smooth, bright yellow-and-black wasps need different advice and are not collected by volunteer beekeepers.
Do not spray, smoke, prod or seal the entrance. Blocking an active entrance can trap insects and may force them to find another route through the building.
Why it matters
Swarm collection and building removal are different jobs
Volunteer swarm collectors are normally equipped and insured to collect accessible honey-bee swarms. Removing an established colony from a wall, roof or chimney can involve opening the structure, working at height and removing bees, wax comb and stored honey.
A suitable specialist may need building experience, appropriate insurance and safe access equipment. MDBKA can help identify what you have and advise on the most suitable next step, but cannot promise free removal from within a building.
Please avoid
Actions that can make matters worse
Do not seal the hole
Wait until the species has been identified and the entrance is confirmed inactive before considering proofing work.
Do not use sprays
Pesticides may harm bees without solving the building problem. Dead bees, wax and honey can remain within the cavity.
Do not take access risks
Never climb onto a roof or use an unsuitable ladder to obtain photographs. A wider ground-level image is much safer.
Help with identification
Send Mike these details
WhatsApp is usually most reliable because Mike sometimes has limited mobile signal.
Photographs
One close-enough image of the insects from a safe position and one wider photograph showing the building and entrance.
Exact location
Provide the postcode and, if possible, a what3words address for the property or safest access point.
What you observed
Say when the bees appeared, whether there is a visible cluster and how long they have used the same opening.
Height and access
Estimate the entrance height and mention roads, livestock, conservatories, locked gates or other access concerns.
Leave a voicemail if there is no answer. Include your name, telephone number and location. Advice and swarm identification are free; specialist building removal may involve a charge from an independent contractor.
Trusted further guidance
This page follows national advice that established honey-bee colonies in buildings may require specialist removal, while most bumblebee nests are short-lived and best left undisturbed where possible.
Not sure what is living in your building?
Send photographs and the location for initial identification. WhatsApp is normally the most reliable contact method.