{"id":146,"date":"2017-11-21T19:50:19","date_gmt":"2017-11-21T19:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?page_id=146"},"modified":"2026-05-01T18:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T17:58:20","slug":"swarms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?page_id=146","title":{"rendered":"Swarms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style> h2, h3, h4 {color: green;}\n\n@media screen and (max-width: 600px) {div.reduce {font-size: 75%;}}\n\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do if you have a swarm of honey bees in the East Devon area.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please contact one of our swarm collectors from the list below who operates in your post code area. Alternatively, go to the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbka.org.uk\/help\/do_you_have_a_swarm.php\">British Beekeepers interactive swarm<\/a><\/strong> page to find the nearest beekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n\/* START: Search styles *\/\n.search-container {\n    margin-bottom: 15px;\n}\n.search-container label {\n    font-weight: bold;\n    margin-right: 10px;\n    font-family: sans-serif;\n}\n.search-container #tableSearchInput {\n    padding: 8px 12px;\n    border: 1px solid #ccc;\n    border-radius: 4px;\n    font-size: 1rem;\n    width: 300px;\n}\n\n\/* END: Search styles *\/\n\n\n\/* Base table styles *\/\n.table-stacked {\n    width: 100%;\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    font-family: sans-serif;\n    font-size: 0.9rem;\n}\n\n.table-stacked thead {\n    background-color: #2c3e50;\n    color: #ffffff;\n}\n\n\/* Visually hide thead on mobile, but keep for screen readers *\/\n@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n    .table-stacked thead {\n        border: none;\n        clip: rect(0 0 0 0);\n        height: 1px;\n        margin: -1px;\n        overflow: hidden;\n        padding: 0;\n        position: absolute;\n        width: 1px;\n    }\n}\n\n.table-stacked th,\n.table-stacked td {\n    padding: 12px 15px;\n    text-align: left;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n}\n\n\n\/* START: Responsive stacking styles *\/\n@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n    .table-stacked,\n    .table-stacked tbody,\n    .table-stacked tr,\n    .table-stacked td {\n        display: block;\n    }\n\n    .table-stacked tr {\n        border: 1px solid #ccc;\n        margin-bottom: 15px;\n        border-radius: 5px;\n    }\n\n    .table-stacked td {\n        border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;\n        position: relative;\n        padding-left: 30%;\n        text-align: left;\n        min-height: 35px; \/* Ensures a minimum height for better touch targets *\/\n    }\n\n    \/* This is where the magic happens *\/\n    .table-stacked td::before {\n        \/* Use the content from the data-label attribute *\/\n        content: attr(data-label);\n\n        position: absolute;\n        left: 10px;\n        width: calc(50% - 20px);\n        padding-right: 10px;\n        white-space: nowrap;\n        text-align: left;\n        font-weight: bold;\n        color: #2c3e50;\n    }\n}\n\/* END: Responsive stacking styles *\/\n<\/style>\n\n<!-- The Search Input Field -->\n<div class=\"search-container\">\n    <label for=\"tableSearchInput\">Search list:<\/label>\n    <input type=\"text\" id=\"tableSearchInput\" placeholder=\"Type post code to filter items...\">\n<\/div>\n\n<table class=\"table-stacked\" class=\"filterable-table\" id=\"myFilterableTable\">\n    <thead>\n        <tr>\n            <th>Post code<\/th>\n            <th>Beekeeper<\/th>\n            <th>Home<\/th>\n            <th>Landline<\/th>\n            <th>Mobile<\/th>\n        <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4, EX8, EX11, EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Oliver Helm<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Exeter<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07872 065&nbsp;930<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX5<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">David Palfrey<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Whimple<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01404 823&nbsp;750<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07702 326&nbsp;856<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX8, EX9<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Bryan Stewart<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Lympstone<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01395 263&nbsp;097<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07828 675&nbsp;571<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX10<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Andrew Bartlett<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Sidmouth<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07872 534&nbsp;032<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX11<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Nick Silver<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">West Hill only<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01404 812&nbsp;478<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07834 483&nbsp;910<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX5, EX10, EX11, EX12, EX14, EX24<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Ken Basterfield<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Ottery St Mary<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07764 832&nbsp;051<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX10, EX12, EX13, EX24, DT7<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Richard Simpson<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Colyton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07900 492&nbsp;242<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX13<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Peter Field<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Hawkchurch<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07739 936&nbsp;309<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX13, EX12, TA20<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Stephen Smith<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Tytherleigh, Chardstock<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07851 631&nbsp;445<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX13, EX14, EX24<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Alasdair Bruce<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Stockland<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07479 474&nbsp;392<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX13<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Bob Muckett<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Tytherleigh, Chardstock<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01460 220&nbsp;389<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07971 317&nbsp;350<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX13<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Simon Foster<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Membury<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01404 881&nbsp;787<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07946 378&nbsp;794<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Nigel Boulton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Weston<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07730 926&nbsp;809<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Mary Boulton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Weston<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07714 303&nbsp;434<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14, EX11<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Steve Minshall<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Gittisham<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07704 173&nbsp;428<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Paul<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Honiton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07764 308&nbsp;627<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Francis Pyle<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Feniton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07926 813&nbsp;859<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Louis Owen<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Upottery<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07463 599&nbsp;925<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Andy Potter<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Luppitt<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07947 727&nbsp;237<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX14, EX15<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Stan Wroe<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Broadhembury<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01404 841&nbsp;323<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07925 549&nbsp;443<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">EX24<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">David Rice<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Colyton<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">&#8211;<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">07450 288&nbsp;599<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\">TA20<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\">Maurice Wakeling<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\">Chard<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\">01460 646&nbsp;53<\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\">&#8211;<\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n        <tr>\n            <td data-label=\"Post code\"><\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Beekeeper\"><\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Home\"><\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Landline\"><\/td>\n            <td data-label=\"Mobile\"><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n\n    <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<script>\n\/**\n * Enables live filtering for an HTML table.\n *\n * @param {HTMLInputElement} inputEl The input element for the search query.\n * @param {HTMLTableElement} tableEl The table element to filter.\n *\/\nfunction enableTableFilter(inputEl, tableEl) {\n    inputEl.addEventListener('keyup', () => {\n        const query = inputEl.value.toLowerCase();\n        const rows = tableEl.getElementsByTagName('tr');\n\n        \/\/ Loop through all table rows, and hide those who don't match the search query\n        for (let i = 1; i < rows.length; i++) { \/\/ Start at 1 to skip the header row\n            const row = rows[i];\n            const rowText = row.textContent || row.innerText;\n            \n            if (rowText.toLowerCase().indexOf(query) > -1) {\n                row.style.display = \"\";\n            } else {\n                row.style.display = \"none\";\n            }\n        }\n    });\n}\n\n\/\/ Initialize the filterable table\nconst searchInput = document.getElementById('tableSearchInput');\nconst dataTable = document.getElementById('myFilterableTable');\nif(searchInput && dataTable) {\n    enableTableFilter(searchInput, dataTable);\n}\n\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n\n<style>.edSwarmTable {width: 100%; text-align: left; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse;}.edSwarmTable th {background-color: white; color: red; border-top: 2px solid #eee; padding: 5px;}.edSwarmTable td { border-top: 2px solid #eee; padding: 5px;}<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"reduce\">\n\n\n\n<!--\n\n\n<table class=\"edSwarmTable\">\n<tbody>\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<th>Post Code Area<\/th>\n<th>Beekeeper<\/th>\n<th>Home<\/th>\n<th>Landline<\/th>\n<th>Mobile<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX1-4, EX8, EX11, EX14<\/td>\n<td>Oliver Helm<\/td>\n<td>Exeter<\/td>\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>07872 065&nbsp;930<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX5<\/td>\n<td>David Palfrey<\/td>\n<td>Whimple<\/td>\n<td>01404 823&nbsp;750<\/td>\n<td>07702 326&nbsp;856<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX8, EX9<\/td>\n<td>Bryan Stewart<\/td>\n<td>Lympstone<\/td>\n<td>01395 263&nbsp;097<\/td>\n<td>07828 675&nbsp;571<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX10<\/td>\n<td>Andrew Bartlett<\/td>\n<td>Sidmouth<\/td>\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>07872 534&nbsp;032<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX11<\/td>\n<td>Nick Silver<\/td>\n<td>West Hill only<\/td>\n<td>01404 812&nbsp;478<\/td>\n<td>07834 483&nbsp;910<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX5, EX10, EX11, EX12, EX14, EX24<\/td>\n<td>Ken Basterfield<\/td>\n<td>Ottery St Mary<\/td>\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>07764 832&nbsp;051<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX10, EX12, EX13, EX24, DT7<\/td>\n<td>Richard Simpson<\/td>\n<td>Colyton<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07900 492&nbsp;242<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX13<\/td>\n<td>Peter Field<\/td>\n<td>Hawkchurch<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07739 936&nbsp;309<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td> EX13, EX12, TA20<\/td>\n<td>Stephen Smith<\/td>\n<td>Tytherleigh, Chardstock<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07851 631&nbsp;445<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX13, EX14, EX24<\/td>\n<td>Alasdair Bruce<\/td>\n<td>Stockland<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07479 474&nbsp;392<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX13<\/td>\n<td>Bob Muckett<\/td>\n<td>Tytherleigh, Chardstock<\/td>\n<td>01460 220&nbsp;389<\/td>\n<td>07971 317&nbsp;350<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX13<\/td>\n<td>Simon Foster<\/td>\n<td>Membury<\/td>\n<td>01404 881&nbsp;787<\/td>\n<td>07946 378&nbsp;794<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Nigel Boulton<\/td>\n<td>Weston<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07730 926&nbsp;809<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Mary Boulton<\/td>\n<td>Weston<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07714 303&nbsp;434<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14, EX11<\/td>\n<td>Steve Minshall<\/td>\n<td>Gittisham<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07704 173&nbsp;428<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Paul<\/td>\n<td>Honiton<\/td>\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>07764 308&nbsp;627<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Francis Pyle<\/td>\n<td>Feniton<\/td>\n<td>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td>07926 813&nbsp;859<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Louis Owen<\/td>\n<td>Upottery<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07463 599&nbsp;925<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14<\/td>\n<td>Andy Potter<\/td>\n<td>Luppitt<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07947 727&nbsp;237<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX14, EX15<\/td>\n<td>Stan Wroe<\/td>\n<td>Broadhembury<\/td>\n<td>01404 841&nbsp;323<\/td>\n<td>07925 549&nbsp;443<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>EX24<\/td>\n<td>David Rice<\/td>\n<td>Colyton<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>07450 288&nbsp;599<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr valign=\"top\">\n<td>TA20<\/td>\n<td>Maurice Wakeling<\/td>\n<td>Chard<\/td>\n<td>01460 646&nbsp;53<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n-->\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">This is what a swarm of honeybees looks like!<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12580\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Look alikes!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other insects can sometimes be confused with honey bees. \u00a0Bumble bees, solitary bees, wasps, hornets and hover flies may have similar yellow and brown marking but will not be present in such large numbers as honey bees in a swarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(200px, 1fr)); grid-gap: 10px; align-items: stretch;\">\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-honey-bee.jpg\" alt=\"Honeybee\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The honey bee<\/h3>\nThis is the honey bee. Note the furry body that attracts pollen grains. The bee brushes pollen into the pollen baskets on the back legs and takes it back to the hive.\n\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-hoverfly.jpg\" alt=\"Hoverfly\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">The hoverfly<\/h3>\nThe small yellow and black hoverfly can be mistaken for a bee as it often frequents the same flowers for nectar. A good insect for gardeners as the hoverfly grubs eat greenfly.\n\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-bumble-bee.jpg\" alt=\"Bumblebee\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Bumble bees<\/h3>\nThere are twenty-four species of bumble bee in the UK, usually large and furry with distinctive bands of coloured hairs. This one is the white tailed bumblebee.\n\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-wasp2.jpg\" alt=\"Wasp\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Queen wasps<\/h3>\nThese two queen wasps are feeding on ivy. The worker wasps are smaller with similar yellow and black patterns. They can predate on honeybees.\n\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-hornet-q.jpg\" alt=\"Hornet\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">European hornet queen<\/h3>\nAt 3\u00bdcm long the European hornet queen is bigger than any similar insect you are likely to see in the UK. The workers are smaller with similar markings.\n\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"border: 1px solid #ccc; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); max-width: 100%; padding: 10px 10px;\">\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-500x375-Asian-hornet.jpg\" alt=\"Asian hornet\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Asian hornet<\/h3>\nThe Asian hornet is not yet established in the UK but may be in the future. Note the yellow legs and the single broad yellow band near the tail.\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Honey bees do not nest in the ground so insects coming and going from burrows will not be honeybees. See \u2018Bees in Nest Boxes\u2019 below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bees in Nest Boxes<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-Bees-in-nest-box.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12581\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are increasingly finding bees in nest boxes in East Devon. \u00a0These bees are more than likely to be Tree Bumblebees (<em>Bombus hypnorum<\/em>) which are a relatively new species in this area. \u00a0They are between 10 and 14mm long, have rust \/ orange coloured hairs on the upper part of the body and a whitish tail.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-Bombus-hypnorum.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12582\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They pollinate all kinds of fruit, flowers and vegetables so, if possible, try to leave well alone.They will vacate the nest box at the end of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Swarming Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swarming is a natural process by which bees multiply their colonies. Usually a swarm will emerge from the hive and land on a nearby branch, bush or post, or even under the eaves of a roof, where they will form a large hanging cluster of bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They will send out a few scout bees, who will look for a new site to build their home. Whilst waiting for the scout bees to complete their task, the swarm is normally docile as all the bees have taken on stores of food for the journey and they need to conserve supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The swarm will stay in the cluster for a period of time that may be as short as a few minutes, or may be hours or even days. Finally, when the swarm has decided where its new home will be they will take to the air and fly off in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the cluster is within reach then a beekeeper may be able to capture the swarm in a skep or box and take them to an apiary where they can be housed in a hive. Once the swarm has moved off to their new home it may be more difficult to capture them.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"160\" height=\"213\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Swarm-Hiving-swarm.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12584\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This photo shows a swarm being \u2018hived\u2019 by emptying them onto a cloth sloping up to their new front door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bees will naturally climb upwards and seek a dark cavity. At first all is confusion, then they turn and head up the slope and disappear into the hive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re lucky you may see the queen among the throng. Once the queen has taken up residence you can be fairly certain the swarm will not fly off again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:90px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<script>\nconst scrollToTop = () => {\n\nwindow.scroll({\n    top: 0, \n    left: 0, \n    behavior: 'smooth' \n});\n};\n<\/script>\n<input type=\"button\" value=\"Scroll to top\" onclick=\"scrollToTop()\">","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to do if you have a swarm of honey bees in the East Devon area. Please contact one of our swarm collectors from the list below who operates in your post code area. Alternatively, go to the British Beekeepers interactive swarm page to find the nearest beekeeper. Search list: Post code Beekeeper Home Landline [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-146","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Swarms - East Devon Beekeepers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Swarms. What to do if you have a swarm of bees. The image shows what a swarm of bees looks like. Swarming is a natural process. 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