Swarming is a natural process and occurs when a colony of honey bees spilts into two smaller colonies. Swarming is the way honey bees reproduce. The usual swarming season is from April to the end of August.
Providing you can ensure that the insects causing you concern are honeybees we will do our best to help. WE DO NOT REMOVE WASPS, HORNETS, BUMBLE BEES OR SOLITARY BEES. Beekeepers will only deal with honey bees swarms, Before you contact us, please try to identify the insects. This page assists in identifying the common insects that are mistaken for honeybees.
If you do have a honey bee swarm which can be removed safely, we have several beekeepers who volunteer their services. Beekeepers usually will be happy to collect swarms of honeybees providing they do not have to climb over roofs and chimneys. There is also a risk of removing bees from lofts. If the bees have entered a chimney which is open then the best course of action is to light a fire to discourage the bees from establishing a colony in the chimney. The bees will move away from the smoke. Once start to establish a colony in a chimney they will be building honey comb from wax so it is not safe to light a fire until the colony and comb has been removed.
If the bees are not on your land this summary explains who owns the swarm.
For help with all honey bee swarms in south, west and central Carmarthenshire, please contact us. We will then pass your details on to your nearest beekeeper who will contact you directly. Depending on the distance involved, please note that the beekeeper may charge you travelling expenses to come and collect the swarm. Any charge will be agreed with you in advance.
It is helpful if you contact us through our Facebook Page. and provide a photo of the location of the swarm, or you can use the contact us page on this website.
There are two Beekeeping Associations in Carmarthenshire and Beekeeping Associations in other areas of Wales. We cover south, west and central Carmarthenshire (including the main towns of Llanelli, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, St Clears, Laugharne and Whitland). Our Colleagues in the East Carmarthen Association cover the north and east of the County (including the main towns of Llandovery, Llandeilo and Ammanford). If you live in the north or east of the County, you should contact the East Carmarthen Association directly through the contact information given on its Website. For areas outside of the County, you should contact the relevant local beekeeping association for your area. See the links page for their contact details.
There is a new online matching facility which works on postcodes to put people in contact with someone who will come out to a swarm. – It is a new system still in its infancy, but may be helpful.