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Swarming

Swarm Removal

Have you found a swarm that needs removal? then please contact one of the Club members listed below.

Beekeeper Contact	Phone No.	Bee Swarm Collection Area
Keith Pester (Club Organiser & President)	0414 571 487	Northern Beaches & Ku-ring-gai Councils
Michael Syme	0423 513 260	St Ives, Elanora Heights, Beacon Hill, Narrabeen, Warriewood, Bayview, Ingleside, Forestville, Belrose, Terrey Hills, Dee Why, Allambie, Freshwater, Manly, Mona Vale
Roger Murphy	0438 617 308	Around 15km of Hornsby
Phil Kavanagh	0402 232 014	Hornsby & Berowra region
Alan Bull	0410 479 889	Around 10km of Lindfield
Michael Rayner	0426 998 509	Around 10km of Beecroft
Carl Lundberg	0406 996 183	Around 10km of Belrose & also Pittwater Peninsula
Charles Bracun	0425 233 174	Around 10km of Hunters Hill
Thomas Gordon	0431 698 687	Around 20km of Castlecrag
Bronwen Fiennes	9449 7115	Around 10km of Nth Turramurra
Henry Freiburg	0423 298 841	Around 10km of North Sydney
Graeme Edwards	0422 061 337	Hornsby to Hawkesbury River

How to have your swarm or colony
collected and removed

It is important to phone someone as soon as the swarm is noticed as the scout bees may very quickly find an entrance into the walls or roof of your house and once inside they maybe very difficult and possibly expensive to remove.

It is in your best interest to phone the member living closest to you and continue phoning others until you find someone who can come as soon as possible.

The cost of and timing for removal of bees shall be a negotiated arrangement between the member and the person requesting the removal. NSBKA accepts no responsibility or liability in any case.

The NSBKA offers this service to the community as a free service, and does not charge for the catching of Swarms. A collector may accept donations to the Club in return for removing unwanted bee swarms or provide these NSBKA account details.

Club Bank Account: BSB 032-083 ACC 168197
Reference: Donation-‘name

The hum of bees is the voice of garden

swarming bees

A natural instinct of a bee colony is to swarm and leave its hive to establish another colony elsewhere. This is the way that bees increase their numbers to survive as a species.

Swarms normally occur in the spring and early summer months. When bees swarm, they move out of the hive and fly to a new temporary location on a post, tree or fence in your backyard.

Once the swarm of bees has landed and settled, it clusters into a tight ball, which can vary in size from 200- 600mm in diameter. The bees will stay in this temporary location until a new permanent home is found and then the whole swarm will fly away again.

Is a Bee Swarm dangerous?

Swarming bees are not likely to attack and sting unless they are provoked by some sort of interference. There are a couple of reasons for this docile behavior.

While they are swarming and are temporarily settled, there are scout bees out looking for a new home and in their minds the swarm does not have a home to protect, so defensive behavior patterns are suspended until the new home is found. Another reason swarm bees are docile is that they leave their original home with bellies full of honey and this limits their lower body movement making it difficult to successfully sting.

If a swarm of bees arrives at your house, stay inside till the swarm has clustered and most of the bees have stopped flying. Watch for foraging bees flying to and from the swarm, as they may not see you and could get caught in your hair or clothing.

When you go outside, wear footwear to protect your feet in case some bees have landed on the ground.

What not to do

Do not attempt to move the swarm by hosing it, throwing stones at it, or poking it with a stick. This action will only aggravate the bees and encourage them to sting in defense.

It is safest to not attempt to remove a swarm yourself unless you have experience in handling bees.

INFO FOR NSBKA MEMBERS
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE SWARM RECIPIENT LIST?

The NSBKA keeps a list of members who would like to obtain a swarm of bees. Swarms are supplied for a small fee of $50.

Sometimes they also include donated hives and recently re-homed hives of bees. People wishing to add their names to the swarm recipient list should contact, Keith Pester and discuss their experience.

NSBKA Expectations of Members for a Swarm.

– Being a financial member of the NSBKA
– Able to respond to requests from the public within a reasonable time
– Having suitable equipment to collect swarms
– Able to offer advice in the event the swarm is either not a swarm or not able to be caught

After discussion about who may be available to collect a swarm for you, your empty assembled hive should be delivered to that person. After a few days of settling in, your hive can then be picked up after dark and moved to your new location. People who meet the requirements will be given preference when swarms are available.

Complete this Members’ Swarm Information Form and it will be emailed to Swarm organizer Mr Keith Pester. Please remember to advise Mr Keith Pester 0414 571 487 if you obtain bees from elsewhere such as buying a package.

Priority will be given to members without bees. Also if you know of a swarm and would like assistance in catching it, contact Keith Pester and he will put you in contact with one of the club committee and they will try to assist you. The swarming period for the Northern part of Sydney is generally between early September and the end of December. The NSBKA offers this as a free service and does not charge for the catching of Swarms.

Please note: Swarm Collectors on this list are not acting as agents for or on behalf of the North Shore Beekeepers Association (NSW) Inc.

You should complete a site assessment prior to attempting to collect any bees. Your safety is your responsibility. The North Shore Beekeepers Association has a list of members who are offering to re home swarms of bees. If the swarm is surplus to your requirements, contact the Swarm list Manager to find a suitable home.

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