Honey bee swarms are a natural and fascinating part of the bees’ life cycle, but when a swarm chooses to settle inside a building — such as a loft, wall cavity, or chimney stack — it can quickly become a serious concern for homeowners or property managers.
If you suspect honey bees have moved into your building, here’s what you need to know and do:
1. Stay Calm and Keep Your Distance
Honey bees are not typically aggressive when swarming or settling in a new location, but they may become defensive once they’ve established a nest. Avoid disturbing the bees and keep pets and children away from the area.
2. Don’t Try to Remove Them Yourself
Trying to remove bees from within a structure is not a DIY job. It can be dangerous for you and harmful to the bees. Additionally, improper removal can lead to bees returning or honey residue attracting pests.
3. Confirm the Insects Are Honey Bees
Many people confuse honey bees with wasps or other insects. If possible, take a photo from a safe distance and send it to us or a local beekeeper for identification. This helps ensure the right course of action.
4. Understand the Implications
Once honey bees have moved into a cavity like a loft or chimney and begun building comb, they quickly become a feral colony. This is different from a temporary swarm hanging from a tree branch and usually cannot be safely removed without opening up the structure.
Removal may require:
- Setting up access with scaffolding or a cherry picker. It isn’t a job to be done from a step ladder
- Accessing the inside of walls or roofs by means of dismantling part of the walls or roof
- Removing and relocating the bees and their comb
- Thorough cleaning of honey and wax residue
- Repairs to the building structure
5. Contact a Professional
York & District Beekeepers Association members do not remove colonies from buildings, but we may be able to:
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Help confirm if they are honey bees
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Advise on next steps
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Refer you to professional pest or bee removal services who are properly qualified, equipped and insured to handle structural removals
6. Act Quickly
The sooner you act, the more options are available. After just a few weeks, the population of honey bees will grow and they will quickly build honeycomb inside your property.
Bee and Pest Removal Services
If honey bees have taken up residence inside your home or building structure, you may need to contact a professional bee removal or pest control service with experience in live bee extractions.
Below are a few companies and organisations that may be able to help:
Disclaimer: York & District Beekeepers Association does not endorse or guarantee the services of any third-party companies listed above. These links are provided for informational purposes only. Always ensure any contractor you hire is experienced, insured, and complies with relevant regulations.
