Bee Swarm in Your Yard This Spring? What Victorian Homeowners Should Do

Spring in Victoria brings warmer days, flowering gardens and bee swarms. A buzzing cluster of thousands of bees hanging from a branch, fence or eave can be alarming. The good news is that most swarms are calmer than they look, and many move on by themselves.

Why bees swarm in spring

Swarming is how honeybee colonies reproduce. When a hive gets crowded in spring, the old queen leaves with a large group of workers to find a new home. While scout bees search for a suitable spot, the swarm rests in a tight cluster, often on a branch, fence, letterbox or under the eaves. Because swarming bees have no hive or honey to defend, they’re usually less defensive than bees at an established nest. That doesn’t mean they’re safe to touch.

What to do if you see a swarm

• Keep your distance: keep children and pets inside or well away.
• Don’t spray it, hose it or throw anything at it: that can make the bees defensive and won’t make them leave.
• Watch where it is: a swarm in an open spot often moves on within a day or so once the scouts find a new home.
• Get help if it’s in a busy spot: near a doorway, play area or pool, or if anyone in the household is allergic to stings.

If anyone is stung and shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 000 immediately.

Swarm vs established hive

This is the key difference:

• A swarm: a hanging cluster of bees out in the open. It’s usually temporary, and a local beekeeper may be able to collect it.
• An established hive: bees steadily flying in and out of one gap in a wall, roof, chimney or meter box. It stays and grows, and needs a professional.

An established hive inside a wall or roof is a bigger problem. The bees build comb and store honey inside the structure. If the hive is removed incorrectly, leftover honey and wax can damage ceilings and attract other pests.

When to call a pest controller

• Bees are entering and leaving a gap in your walls, roof, eaves, chimney or meter box.
• The colony has been there for more than a few days and is building comb.
• The location puts people at risk, such as a doorway or play area.
• A beekeeper can’t safely access or collect the bees.

Are bees protected in Australia?

Rules about bees and their removal can be confusing. Read are bees protected in Australia? for more.

Bee or wasp?

Wasps are also active in the warmer months and are more likely to sting repeatedly. If the insects are yellow and black with a smooth body rather than fuzzy and brown, you may be dealing with wasps. See wasp nests in roofs and eaves and why wasps become aggressive in summer.

Frequently asked questions

Will my local council remove a bee swarm?

Policies vary between councils. Many swarms on private property are handled by beekeepers or pest controllers, so check with your council.

How long will a swarm stay?

Often only a few days at most. If bees start flying in and out of one opening in your home, they’ve moved in, so call a professional.

Can I remove a hive myself?

We don’t recommend it. Disturbing a colony without protective gear can lead to multiple stings, and partial removal can leave honey and comb in your walls.

Bees moved in? Get help with bees and wasps from Mr Pest Controller, across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat.