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Swarms

Swarming is part of the natural reproductive life cycle of honeybees. 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 Collection

A swarm of honeybees 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 Removal

Bees 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 honeybees 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 honeybees 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.

Swarm Collection List - BE SURE TO CONFIRM IF THE SWARM COLLECTOR CHARGES A FEE FOR COLLECTION

Name Phone  SuburbNotes
Jennifer McInnes  0425 738188    AbbotsfordSwarms only 
Kevin Sermon
0400 060 244

Albert Park to C'bourne, Dromana to Ringwood, Dcstr, Cheltenham to Werribbee,          Most suburbs

Swarms and Nests
 Laszlo Kun0423 256 231Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Berwick, Harkaway, Guys Hill, Narre Warren, Narre Warren NorthSwarms and Nests
William Stapelfeldt 0466 317 118  BlackburnSwarms only
 Andrew Sankey0419 390 060 BlackburnSwarms only
Anthony McGrath0423 354 015 Box HillSwarms only
John Treloar 0409 164 234  CamberwellSwarms only
 Peter Nyers0403 766 963 Cranbourne, C. West, C. North, Botanic Ridge, Clyde, Clyde North, Narre Warren, Narre Warren Sth, BerwickSwarms and Nests
 

Craig McCullough

 

0450066188

 Croydon, Ringwood, Chirnside Park, Bayswater, Boronia  Swarms and Nests
Andrew Stanish

0418 521 869

 Diamond Creek/ElthamSwarms and Nests
Gavin Preston 0402 833 228  Forest HillSwarms and Nests
 Tom Sizer
 0429 862 631
 Forest Hill and surrounding suburbs
 Swarms and Nests
Shayne Stanley 0410 690 562  Glen WaverleySwarms only
Herbert Kieleithner  0405 533 623  Glen Waverley, Mt Waverley, Wantirna, ScoresbySwarms and Nests 
Kent Henderson 0417 599 548

 Hawthorn East

Swarms only 
Shane O’Brien  0419 501 194   Healesville, Yarra ValleySwarms only 
Megan Fulford0417 373 998Heidelberg & surrounding suburbsSwarms only
Mat Lumalasi 0414 406 136  HeidelbergSwarms and Nests
Susan Zuber 0413 698 140  KinglakeSwarms only
Geoff Neville
0412 613 135

 Manningham

Swarms and Nests
Alex Winston0411 799 256 McKinnonSwarms only
Peter Milic 0418 340 093  MitchamSwarms only
Keith Piper 9874 8634  MitchamSwarms only
Morwenna Griffiths   0401 491 051  Mt Waverley, BurwoodSwarms only
Ashley Barrow 0414 366 633 Narre WarrenSwarms and Nests
Bryce Copeland  0484 185 601   Nillumbik ShireSwarms and some Nests 
Kathryn Goldsmith  0409 502 010  NunawadingSwarms only 
Stuart Stone 0408 764 045  Park OrchardsSwarms only
Jacqui Dunbar0410 102 200  Research, Eltham, Lower Plenty, Yallambie, Bundoora & PrestonSwarms only
Rei Collaco  0458 000 426   State WideSwarms and Nests 
Maureen Koegel 0425 780 456   WarrandyteSwarms only 
 Brett Campbell 0408 863 452 Wheelers HillSwarms only
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