Swarming is the natural way honeybees reproduce at the colony level. When a honeybee colony becomes too large, it raises a new queen, and the old queen leaves the hive with about half the flying bees in a process known as swarming. A typical honeybee swarm consists of 10,000 to 20,000 bees.

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While swarms can appear intimidating, this is usually when the bees are at their most docile, as their primary focus is finding a new home. Beekeepers can safely collect and rehome swarms in a hive where they can thrive. We use a range of tools for this, including a "bucket on a stick" for high swarms, a basket for lower ones, and a Beevac for harder-to-reach swarms. Many of the swarms we’ve collected have since grown into established colonies in our apiaries.

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It's easy to mistake swarms for bumblebees or even wasp nests, so if you’re unsure, take a picture and send it to the beekeeper for proper identification.

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If you encounter a swarm in Thatcham, Newbury, or the wider West Berkshire area, feel free to reach out to us for assistance.

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Like most honeybee swarm collectors we do not charge for this service. From 2024 to 2025 we helped remove 25 swarms of honey bees.