Honey bees on the move – BBKA beekeepers ready to rescue spring swarms

It’s that time of year when honey bee swarms start taking flight across the UK. Swarming is usually limited to a couple of months but many may not survive without your help.

The UK charity, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), has launched its annual Swarm Savers initiative with thousands of trained beekeepers across the country on standby to safely rescue and rehome honey bee swarms completely free of charge.

While swarming is a natural and vital part of a honey bee colony’s life cycle, up to 80 per cent of swarms perish if they don’t find a suitable home – a statistic that underscores the urgency of public awareness and support.

With the growing threat of the yellow-legged asian hornet – a predator that can decimate honey bee colonies – supporting the survival and safe rehoming of these swarms has never been more important.

Commenting on the situation, Diane Drinkwater, chair of the BBKA said: “There’s something truly magical about witnessing a honey bee swarm. It’s how a colony reproduces; a natural marvel where thousands of bees work together to protect their queen and find a new home. But without help, many never make it. We know many people are fascinated or concerned by swarms but by knowing what to do, we can all help honey bees and make sure they’re around for generations to come.”

Use the BBKA’s interactive Swarm Map to locate a local volunteer swarm collector.

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