SwarmsSwarming is part of the natural reproductive life cycle of honey bees. When a bee colony becomes too large it divides by swarming. Here in Victoria the swarming season is usually between September and December. However, occasionally colonies may swarm at other times. Warmer weather, combined with an abundance of nectar and pollen, stimulate the colony to increase in population. Swarms usually emerge from the colonies between 10am and 2pm on warm sunny days. |
Bee Swarm CollectionA swarm of honey bees will cluster temporarily at one location, often hanging off the branch of a tree or bush, while a few scout bees locate a new home. When a suitable home is found the swarm moves as a group to that new site. This is usually after a few hours or up to a couple of days. Bee Nest RemovalBees that have made a permanent nest in and around the house are often not tolerated by the occupants of that building. To ensure that feral, abandoned or unwanted nesting colonies of honey bees are not unnecessarily destroyed, some members of The Beekeepers Club are willing to offer a Bee Removal service. Removing bees nesting in buildings can be very difficult and sometimes costly. Where there is no economical method of removing the bees, it may be necessary to destroy them. In such situations the services of a licensed Pest Control operator is required.
| Swarm Collectors
To ensure that unwanted honey bees are not unnecessarily destroyed, members of The Beekeepers Club offer a swarm collection service, as well as the removal of bee nests where possible. To assist in finding a nearby swarm collector, see the list below. |
| Beekeeper | Phone | Suburb | Notes |
| Jennifer McInnes | 0425 738 188 | Abbotsford | Swarms only |
| Kevin Sermon | 0400 060 244 |
Albert Park to Cranbourne, Dromana to Ringwood, Doncaster, Cheltenham to Werribee, most suburbs |
Swarms and Nests |
| Laszlo Kun | 0423 256 231 | Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Berwick, Harkaway, Guys Hill, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North | Swarms and Nests |
| Chris Davenport | 0425 708 382 | Boroondara and Whitehorse | Swarms only |
| Anthony McGrath | 0423 354 015 | Box Hill South | Swarms only |
| John Treloar | 0409 164 234 | Camberwell and surrounding suburbs | Swarms only |
| Ben Taylor | 0403 129 212 | Carlton, Fitzroy/ Fitzroy North, Abbotsford, Thornbury, Brunswick, Preston, CBD | Swarms only |
| Peter Nyers | 0403 766 963 | Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne North, Botanic Ridge, Clyde, Clyde North, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, Berwick | Swarms and Nests |
| Andrew Stanish |
0418 521 869 |
Diamond Creek/Eltham | Swarms and Nests |
| Walt McIvor | 0419 309 677 | Doncaster, Templestowe, Donvale, Bulleen, Mitcham, Nunawading, Vermont, Ringwood, Forest Hill, Warrandyte | Swarms and Nests |
| Geoff Bryan | 0407 324 684 | Eltham, Greensborough, Templestowe, Lower Plenty, Yallambie |
Swarms only |
| Gavin Preston | 0402 833 228 | Forest Hill | Swarms and Nests |
| Herbert Kieleithner | 0405 533 623 | Glen Waverley, Mt Waverley, Wantirna, Scoresby | Swarms and Nests |
| Jonathan Thom | 0448 977 540 | Greensborough | Swarms only |
| Kent Henderson | 0417 599 548 |
Hawthorn East, Kew, Ivanhoe, Balwyn, Hawthorn, and Toorak |
Swarms only |
| Andrew Bailey | 0418 450 689 | Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell | Swarms only |
| Shane O’Brien | 0419 501 194 | Healesville, Yarra Valley | Swarms only |
| Mat Lumalasi | 0414 406 136 | Heidelberg | Swarms and Nests |
| Susan Zuber | 0413 698 140 | Kinglake | Swarms only |
| Peter Milic | 0418 340 093 | Mitcham | Swarms only |
| Morwenna Griffiths | 0401 491 051 | Mt Waverley, Burwood | Swarms and Nests |
| Ashley Barrow | 0414 366 633 | Narre Warren | Swarms and Nests |
| Kathryn Goldsmith | 0409 502 010 | Nunawading | Swarms only |
| Freddy | 0421 933 991 | Surrey Hills | Swarms only |
| Amy James | 0425 774 774 | Warrandyte, Eltham, Greensborough, Doncaster, Doreen | Swarms only |
| Brett Campbell | 0408 863 452 | Wheelers Hill | Swarms only |