'We're on standby' say experts, after a Sheffield neighbourhood hit by swarming bees incident
Experts are on standby, it has emerged, after a Sheffield neighbourhood was hit by a swam of bees which sent residents running indoors to escape.
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) says it has trained beekeepers on standby to safely rescue and rehome honey bee swarms, and is aware of the Sheffield incident.
And it warns that 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.
Residents in part of Heeley, Sheffield, fled indoors yesterday after a swarm hit Well Road, circling a pub and settling on a white van, before reportedly moving on to a nearby park.
Pictures and video show the swarm on and around the car.
But the BBKA says 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.
Chairman Diane Drinkwater 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.”
She issued advice for anyone who encourers a swarm. The advice is:
> Stay calm. Despite the noise and size, swarming honey bees are usually docile. Their main focus is protecting their queen and not hurting humans.
> Keep a safe distance and do not attempt to move or destroy the swarm.
> Correctly identify whether it is a honey bee swarm - if you’re unsure, take a clear photo and contact a BBKA swarm collector. You can find identification resources here.
> Use the BBKA's interactive Swarm Map to locate a local volunteer swarm collector
Ms Drinkwater added: “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.”
Honey bees are the only insect to swarm in the UK and the BBKA beekeepers are unable to help with the removal of the nests of any of the other more than 250 species of bees found in the UK.
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