PETERSFIELD and District Beekeepers Association is urging residents who see a honey bee swarm to get in contact – so the swarm can be safely rehomed in a local bee hive.

Honey bees are the only bees in the UK to swarm (see the picture on the left by Ali Hollingberry) and are vital pollinators.

But they are under increasing pressure because of the use of pesticides and loss of wildflower areas.

Honeybees are usually about 10cm to 12mm long and are brown with orange or darker-brown striped barrel-shaped bodies.

Their legs often hang down in flight and they form colonies or nests of many thousands.

Association spokesman Ali Hollingberry said: “While a swarm can look and feel intimidating, the process of swarming is a very natural one for the honeybee colony.

“And they are usually very placid while they are swarming.

“Honeybee swarms form distinctive conical-shaped or fanned clusters on walls, hedges or branches, and often alight for several hours before moving on.

“Eventually the swarm will find a new permanent home in a hollow tree, crevice, cavity or, occasionally, compost bin, chimney or roof space.

“It is important to remember all bees are critical pollinators and many are protected, and bumblebee and solitary bee nests should be left well alone if at all possible.”

After honey bees, bumble bees, of which there are 24 species in the UK, and solitary bees, of which there are more than 250 species, make up the UK’s bee population.

If you see a honeybee swarm in the Petersfield area, call association swarm co-ordinator Rowan Roberts on 07531 901767. He will arrange, if possible, for a local beekeeper to come and look at the swarm.

If is safe for them to do so, they will collect the swarm and rehome them in their apiary (beehives).

While the bees are not usually aggressive during swarming, children, vulnerable adults and pets should be kept away from the area.

For more information about bee swarms, the association, and bee keeping, visit the website at https://petersfieldbeekeepers.org.uk/swarms/

Anyone outside the Petersfield area should visit https://www.bbka.org.uk/swarm to locate their nearest swarm co-ordinator.