A simple way to get a honeybee swarm safely collected.

Every summer, honeybee colonies split and swarm — thousands of bees cluster on a branch, a fence or a wall while they look for a new home. It looks alarming, but a settled swarm is usually calm, and a local beekeeper will happily come and rehome them. Swarm collection is free, though a beekeeper may ask for a small contribution towards their costs, such as fuel.

SwarmLine connects the person who found the swarm with a beekeeper who can collect it. You send a photo, we work out what kind of bees they are, and if it's a honeybee swarm we find the nearest available collector and put you in touch. No phone trees, no guessing who to call.

We follow BBKA guidance on swarm collection — honeybee swarms only, collected free of charge (a beekeeper may ask for a small contribution towards costs such as fuel). SwarmLine is an independent service and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the BBKA.

A note on bees that have moved into a building — a wall, chimney, soffit or roof space. That's an established colony, not a settled swarm, and removing it is specialist work (a "cut-out"). It usually involves opening up part of the structure, so it's a paid job rather than the free swarm collection above — and the cost depends on the situation, so the specialist will quote you once they've seen it. We'll still help you find the right person.

🐝 I'm a beekeeper — sign up to collect swarms

Beekeepers: join the collector list and get swarms near you offered automatically — free, set your own travel distance.

Send a photoWe identify the bees from your picture — honeybees, bumblebees, or wasps — so you know what you're actually dealing with. We'll never tell you something dangerous is safe to ignore.

We find a collectorFor a honeybee swarm, we contact the nearest registered beekeeper. If they can't come, we try the next, and the next — so you're not left waiting on one person.

They get in touchOnce a beekeeper accepts, they receive your contact details and arrange a time to come and collect. Your details are shared with that one beekeeper only, and deleted afterwards.

Why it's free

Beekeepers want swarms — a collected swarm becomes a new colony in their care. So collection costs you nothing, the bees are saved rather than exterminated, and a local beekeeper gains a hive. SwarmLine simply makes the connection.

See how it works

The whole thing, start to finish

A reporter sends a photo; a beekeeper gets the call. Pick a scenario and watch it play out.

Reportermember of the public

Beekeeperregistered collector

Beekeeper 2next nearest collector

In the final stages of beta

We're right in the middle of swarm season and SwarmLine is in the final stages of beta testing. The demo above shows how it'll work — one photo, and a local beekeeper on the way.

🐝 Sign up to collect swarms

Are you with the BBKA or a local association? We'd love to hear from you — hello@swarmline.uk.

SwarmLine is a free, neutral swarm-collection service, currently in beta. Data controller: Culshaw Consulting Ltd. · Privacy