- Bumblebee
- Round, furry, often with a white or orange tail
- Honeybee
- Slimmer, golden brown, lives in large colonies
- Solitary bees
- Nest alone in lawns, walls and mortar
- Peak season
- Spring and summer
The good news is that most bee problems are short-lived. Bumblebee nests are small and die off by late summer, and swarms usually move on within a few days.
Signs of bees
- Bumblebees flying in and out of a bird box, compost heap, under a shed or decking
- A large cluster of honeybees hanging from a branch or fence (a swarm)
- Bees going in and out of a wall cavity or chimney over many weeks (an established honeybee colony)
- Small volcano-shaped mounds in the lawn in spring (mining bees)
- Small holes in soft mortar with bees coming and going (masonry bees)
How to be sure
Hoverflies are often mistaken for bees, but they hover in mid-air, have big eyes and can't sting. Wasps are smooth and bright yellow and black. Tree bumblebees, now common in the UK, often nest in bird boxes and roof eaves and can look busy, but they only stay a few weeks.
What you can do yourself
- Bumblebees: leave the nest if you can. It will be empty by late summer and won't be reused.
- Swarms: contact a local beekeeper through the British Beekeepers Association swarm collection service. Many collect for free.
- Mining and masonry bees: they're harmless and rarely sting. Repoint soft mortar later in the year if damage concerns you.
- Keep a little distance and avoid blocking flight paths in the meantime.
Call a professional if
- An established honeybee colony is inside a wall, chimney or roof. You need a specialist bee removal service or beekeeper, not standard pest control
- A nest is in a place you genuinely can't avoid and someone has a sting allergy
Safety: If someone is stung and has swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or feels faint, call 999.
Keeping them out
- Seal unused chimney pots and wall gaps outside the swarming season
- Check bird boxes and roof eaves in early spring
Kit that helps
- Mesh chimney cap (outside nesting season)
- Bee hotel to draw solitary bees away from walls
Product types only. We'll only ever point you to things we'd use ourselves.
Questions people ask
Is it illegal to kill bees?
It's not generally illegal, but it's strongly discouraged and usually unnecessary. Many pest controllers will refuse to treat honeybees.
How long will a bumblebee nest last?
Usually a few weeks to a couple of months. Colonies die off naturally by late summer.
Will a beekeeper remove a swarm for free?
Many will collect a honeybee swarm at no charge. Bumblebees and established colonies in walls are different and may need a specialist.
Do hoverflies sting?
No. They mimic bees and wasps for protection but are completely harmless.