Bee Removal & Relocation in the East Midlands

Which bees have you got?

Getting the species right decides what happens next, so we'll often ask for a photo first.

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are slim, about 12mm long, and golden-brown to dark brown with fine hair. In late spring and early summer a colony splits and a swarm of thousands of bees leaves with the old queen. The swarm usually hangs as a cluster on a branch, fence or wall while scouts look for a new home. If they choose your chimney, roof void or wall cavity, they can set up a permanent colony.

Bumblebees are rounder and furry, with bands of yellow, white, orange or black. A nest holds a few dozen to a few hundred bees, in compost heaps, under sheds, in old bird boxes or under decking. The tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum, ginger thorax, black abdomen, white tail) often nests in bird boxes and under roof tiles, and the males buzz around the entrance, which looks alarming but is harmless.

Masonry and mining bees are solitary. They nest in soft mortar, old brickwork or small holes in the lawn. There's no colony and no queen, and they very rarely sting.

Why we relocate bees rather than kill them

Bees are essential pollinators and several species are in decline, so our policy is relocation first. For honeybee swarms we work with local beekeepers who can collect a swarm and give it a home. The British Beekeepers Association also lists volunteer swarm collectors on its website.

A honeybee colony that has moved into a chimney or cavity wall is harder. Removing it may need the structure opened up, and we'll explain the options honestly. Treatment is only considered as an absolute last resort, for example where a colony can't be reached, presents a real risk to someone vulnerable and no beekeeper can take it. If treatment is unavoidable, the entrance must be sealed afterwards so other bees can't rob the treated honey and carry insecticide back to their own hive.

Should I leave a bumblebee nest alone?

Usually, yes. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust advises leaving bumblebee nests where they are if you can. Bumblebees are docile and rarely sting unless the nest is disturbed. A colony only lasts one season: by late summer the new queens have left and the rest die off, and the old nest isn't reused.

If a nest is genuinely in the way, for example beside a door used by someone with a bee-sting allergy, call us and we'll talk you through the options, including moving it where that's practical.

Bee stings and allergies

A honeybee leaves its sting in the skin. The NHS advises scraping it out sideways with a fingernail or bank card rather than squeezing it, then washing the area and using a cold compress. Call 999 if someone has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or feeling faint.

What our customers say

“Brilliant service!! Got rid of a bees nest within a couple of hours after ringing! Very friendly. They are taking them to a safe place to release them. Would definitely recommend” Rachel, Google review, May 2026

“I cant thank Gino enough for coming out to my house last Saturday to sort out a problem i had with a swarm of Bees that had come into an air vent and also got into a bedroom.” Gary, Google review, July 2024