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So You Think You Might Have a Honeybee Nest?

Updated: May 28

Every year we receive many enquiries from members of the public about “bees” in chimneys, roof spaces, soffits, eaves, walls and gardens. In many cases, they are not honeybees at all.

This guide will help you identify what you are seeing, understand when action may or may not be needed, and explain what our association can realistically help with.


First Things First —

Are They Actually Honeybees?


The UK and Ireland have many different species of bees, but only one species of honeybee. Most bee sightings are actually bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies or wasps.


Honeybees are:

  • Small to medium-sized

  • Golden-brown with darker bands or often just dark brown

  • Less fluffy than bumblebees

  • Usually seen flying steadily in and out of one entrance point

  • Social insects living in large colonies


Bumblebees are:

  • Larger and much fluffier

  • Often very noisy in flight

  • Frequently nest underground, in compost heaps, bird boxes or sheds

  • Seasonal — nests naturally die out at the end of summer


Solitary bees are:

  • Are usually harmless

  • Often nest in small holes in brickwork, soil or wood

  • Do not form large colonies

  • Rarely need any intervention


Wasps:

  • Have smooth shiny bodies with narrow waists and usually noticeably yellow and black striped

  • Tend to fly more quickly and aggressively

  • Build papery nests

  • Are not handled by beekeepers


Please see links to some useful identification guides at the end of this article.


Is it a Swarm or Nest?


A Honeybee Swarm

A swarm is usually:

  • A temporary cluster of honeybees hanging from a branch, fence or wall

  • Present for only a few hours or days

  • Generally calm if left undisturbed

Swarming is a natural part of honeybee reproduction and is often the easiest situation for a beekeeper to help with.


An Established Nest

If insects are:

  • Flying into a chimney

  • Entering roof spaces

  • Going into wall cavities, soffits or eaves

  • Present for weeks or months

…then this is likely to be an established colony living within the structure of the building.

Unfortunately, these situations are much more complicated.


What Our Association Can — and Cannot — Do


Our members are volunteer beekeepers, not pest controllers, builders, roofers or chimney specialists.

For insurance and safety reasons:

  • Our insurance does not cover working at height

  • We cannot climb onto roofs or unsafe structures

  • We cannot remove tiles, soffits, chimney pots, ceilings or walls

  • We cannot undertake structural alterations

  • We do not deal with wasps

  • We do not remove bumblebee nests or solitary bees

In many cases, the safest and most appropriate advice is simply to leave the insects alone if they are not causing harm.


What To Do If Bees Are Inside Your Building


If you genuinely have honeybees living inside a property, you may need:

  • A specialist bee removal company

  • A pest controller experienced with bees

  • A builder or roofer working alongside a beekeeper

Please understand that removals from buildings can be:

  • Time-consuming

  • Expensive

  • Structurally disruptive

  • Not always successful

There is no simple “vacuum them out” solution once bees are established within walls or roofs.


Before Contacting Us


If you would like advice, please try to include:

  • Clear photographs

  • A short video if possible

  • The exact location of the insects

  • How long they have been present

  • Whether they are entering a cavity or clustered outside

This helps us identify the insects more quickly and reduces unnecessary call-outs.


Please Consider Leaving Them Alone


Many bee species are important pollinators and are under pressure from habitat loss.

Bumblebee nests and solitary bee nests are usually temporary and harmless. Bumblebee colonies naturally die out at the end of the season, with only new queens surviving winter.

If the insects are not posing an immediate danger, the best option is often to leave them undisturbed.


Frequently Asked Questions


Are honeybees protected?

Honeybees are not legally protected in the same way as some wildlife species, but they are valuable pollinators and should not be destroyed unnecessarily.


Will the bees damage my house?

Honeybees themselves do very little structural damage. However, large established colonies can sometimes cause issues through honey leakage, wax build-up or attracting pests after the colony dies.


Can a beekeeper remove bees from my chimney or roof?

Usually not. Most volunteer beekeepers are not insured to work at height or carry out structural work.


Can you remove wasps?

No. Beekeepers generally do not deal with wasps. You will need a pest control company for wasp nests.


Should I block the entrance hole?

No. Blocking entrances can trap insects inside walls or force them into other parts of the property.


Are bumblebees dangerous?

Bumblebees are generally very gentle and rarely sting unless disturbed.


Will a bumblebee nest survive the winter?

No. Bumblebee nests naturally die out in autumn.


What should I do if I find a swarm of honeybees?

Keep people and pets away and contact a local swarm collector if possible. Swarms are usually calm when left undisturbed. Please do not spray water or insecticide on them.


Why can’t the association help with every bee enquiry?

Our members are volunteers with limited equipment, insurance and availability. We prioritise situations where we can safely and realistically assist.


Helpful Resources

Identification


Bumblebees

Solitary Bees

Honeybees


Thank You


We appreciate that discovering insects in your home can be worrying. However, many of the enquiries we receive involve beneficial wild pollinators that do not require removal.

By helping identify the insects correctly and understanding the limitations of volunteer beekeepers, you can help us focus our time on situations where assistance is genuinely needed.


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