DON'T DESTROY SWARMS
Swarming bees are a natural occurrence, and bees are least likely to sting when swarming.
Encountering a bee swarm for the first time can be alarming. Bees tend to swarm near their hives or honeycombs, so if a swarm is visible then a nest is probably nearby. Swarms are usually not aggressive unless provoked, so it is important to keep a good distance from the swarm. If the bees feel threatened, they will use their stingers and release a pheromone to alert the other bees of the threat resulting in a large bee attack.
Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies. A swarm of bees may frighten people, however swarming bees are usually not aggressive. Unless collected by a beekeeper swarm clusters will move on and find a suitable nesting location in a day or two.
Swarm removalCall a local beekeeping club and a grateful beekeeper will likely collect bees for free to establish a new hive. We have list of club members below who will collect swarms for free.
It is almost impossible to remove a swarm from walls or ceilings, you will probablty have to call an exterminator to remove a swarm from inside a wall or ceiling cavity.
However - some of our catchers listed below may be able to help.
We have club member beekeepers all over the Waikato who will collect swarms for free.
If you find a swarm in Hamilton or the Waikato area please contact one of the following:
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| Area & Availability | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton City East of River | Carl Saunders | 0274 886 713 |
| Hamilton,Nagaruawahia,Matangi,Whatawhata | Dean Andrews | 021 923 507 |
| Hamilton/ surrounding | Brett Coxhead | 021 288 8536 |
| Hamilton North/Rototuna/Huntington/Flags | Frank Jeanplong | 02108215185 |
| Ham, West/South to Te A. Have a Bee Vac | Neil Johnstone | 027 276 9749 |
| Hamilton and surrounding | Brendon Muir | 027 245 3008 |