Swarm collection · Durham & Tyne and Wear
Bees in your garden?
I'll come and collect them.
I'm a local beekeeper based in East Durham. If a swarm has settled on a fence, shed or tree, get in touch and I'll come and take it away — usually the same day, and always free.
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swarm season, april–august · peak may–july
Found a swarm? Do this first
- Keep your distance and leave them be. A swarm in the open is calm — it has no hive to defend yet. Don't spray it or throw anything at it.
- Keep children and pets away from the area until it's been collected.
- Call or email with a photo if you can. It helps me judge the size of the cluster and how soon I need to get to you.
Swarm, or bees that have moved in?
A swarm is a cluster of bees, usually hanging in a ball from a branch, fence post or wall, that has just left a hive and is looking for a new home. These I can collect, free of charge.
If bees have already settled inside a chimney, roof void or wall cavity, that's an established colony rather than a swarm, and it's a different, more involved job. Get in touch anyway — I can talk you through the options.
Area covered
I collect swarms across Durham and Tyne and Wear. East Durham's old pit land has turned out to be good country for bees — the gorse and wildflowers that have reclaimed the coalfield give them plenty to work with.
From the hives
All posts →28 June 2026
What's flowering on the coalfield this month
Bramble and clover are in full swing on the old colliery land, and the hives are showing it.
20 May 2026
First swarm call of the year
A textbook cluster on a garden fence in Peterlee, and a reminder that swarm season is properly under way.
15 April 2026
Welcome to East Durham Bees
Why this site exists, what I'll be posting here, and how to get hold of me if you've found a swarm.