{"id":30,"date":"2024-03-02T14:09:33","date_gmt":"2024-03-02T14:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2024-03-31T07:41:02","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T07:41:02","slug":"swarms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/swarms\/","title":{"rendered":"Swarms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"288\" height=\"216\" data-id=\"95\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Bee-swarm-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-95\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"838\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-comp.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-838\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do if you have a swarm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stay at a safe distance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure you have correctly identified that it is a swarm of honey bees.*<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not disturb, disperse, smoke or or in any way try to destroy the swarm. When in a swarm, honey bees are less likely to sting you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact a beekeeper using the map below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>* <em>Most swarm collectors will ask for a clear photograph of the insects in question.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a swarm of honey bees?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A swarm is a natural process that honey bees undertake between about April and July. It is the first part of how a colony reproduces where the old queen leaves with about half the bees. They leave the original colony and find somewhere to cluster whilst the scout bees look for a place to set up a permanent home. This can take anything from a few hours to a couple of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is the best time for a beekeeper to collect the swarm<\/strong>.&nbsp; If the bees are not collected, they may colonise a chimney, wall cavity or roof space which will require specialist equipment to extract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identifying a swarm<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The honey bee is the only species of bee that swarms. Our volunteer beekeepers are only able to assist in cases of swarms of honey bees.&nbsp; We cannot help with removal of wasps nests and will not remove nests of any other species of bee.&nbsp; A honey bee swarm is typically about the same size of a rugby ball and will contain many thousands of bees. They will be located at any above-ground position &#8211; sometimes they will be just a few centimetres high or can be located at the top of very tall trees. If you see bees in the ground, it&#8217;s highly unlikely that these are honey bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"270\" data-id=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-3.jpg 375w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-3-300x216.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hanging on a tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-716\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-4.jpg 1066w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clinging to a chimney stack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"838\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/swarm-comp-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Swarm of bees\" class=\"wp-image-838\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">in the centre of a tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We will not remove nests of any other species of bee. Please see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumblebeeconservation.org\/bumblebee-nests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bumblebee Conservation Trust<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other species of bees<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are around 250 species of bee in the UK. Of these, the only species that swarms is the honey bee. These bees will often nest in bird boxes, cracks in mortar or in the ground. These bees are important pollinators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"910\" data-id=\"733\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/red-tailed-b-bee.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/red-tailed-b-bee.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/red-tailed-b-bee-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/red-tailed-b-bee-768x699.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Red tailed bumble bee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"728\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/buff-tailed-b-bee.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-728\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/buff-tailed-b-bee.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/buff-tailed-b-bee-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/buff-tailed-b-bee-768x524.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Buff tailed bumble bee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-id=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/carder-bee-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-731\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/carder-bee-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/carder-bee-2-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carder bee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have bees nesting in your garden, please leave them alone. They are extremely unlikely to be aggressive towards humans and will die out towards the end of summer. Rather than being fearful of these wonderful insects, watch them, enjoy them and observe their behaviour.  Moving these species of bee is likely to result in destruction of the nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wasps and hornets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We can&#8217;t help with removing wasp and hornet nests<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Like honey bees, wasps and hornets are social insects that have large nests. Nests may be in trees or in roofs of houses and sheds. Wasps have distinctive yellow and black bodies and will be attracted to sweet things. Hornets are larger and have a loud buzz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The Asian hornet is an invasive species and a major threat to honey bees. If you believe you have found one, please report it via the Asian Hornet App available on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/gb\/app\/asian-hornet-watch\/id1161238813\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=uk.ac.ceh.hornets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Android<\/a>&nbsp;or via the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbka.org.uk\/asian-hornet-action-team-map\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BBKA Asian Hornet team<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"777\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/wasp.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/wasp.jpg 800w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/wasp-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/wasp-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Common wasp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"691\" height=\"760\" data-id=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/european-hornet.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/european-hornet.jpg 691w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/european-hornet-273x300.jpg 273w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">European hornet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"514\" data-id=\"778\" src=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees-muf3.temp-dns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/asian-hornet.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/asian-hornet.png 625w, https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/asian-hornet-300x247.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Asian hornet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We can only help with honey bees, not any other species of bee, wasp or hornet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But we can help identify Asian Hornets.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find a swarm collector<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To find your nearest swarm collector, use the map below.  On the map that opens, enter your postcode and then click on the red markers which appear nearest the  details of your local swarm collector.  Please remember our beekeepers are volunteers and will have other commitments so may not be able to attend your request immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"swarm-map\" allow=\"geolocation\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/er2.membershipservices.org.uk\/public\/swarmmap_iframe.php\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"fonts-plugin-block \"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a swarm of honey bees? A swarm is a natural process that honey bees undertake between about April and July. It is the first part of how a colony reproduces where the old queen leaves with about half the bees. They leave the original colony and find somewhere to cluster whilst the scout [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-30","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30"}],"version-history":[{"count":71,"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":914,"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30\/revisions\/914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shropshirebees.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}