Beekeeping in South Devon
This site is for people who are looking for information about beekeeping in South Devon, UK.
You can find out about the following beekeeping groups and associations:
- Hive Alive - the South Devon Natural Beekeeping Group (Dartington)
- Newton Abbot BKA
- Torbay BKA (Torquay, Paignton and Brixham)
- Totnes and Kingsbridge BKA
Swarms
If you see a swarm of honeybees, don't panic! When bees swarm, they are simply looking for a new place to live, and are very unlikely to sting you. You may see them clustering on the branch of a tree, or sometimes under eaves or on a fencepost, any time between April and July - occasionally later.
Bumblebees DO NOT SWARM and live in relatively small groups. If you find a bumblebee nest, please do not call us, but see this web page for advice on what to do.
Please note: beekeepers will not usually be willing to remove wasps or bumblebees. If you call out a beekeeper and you are found to have wasps rather than honeybees, they may make a charge for their time. Wasps have distinct yellow and black stripes, and do not form swarm clusters. Honeybees are darker, often with brown or orange stripes, and form dense clusters, often on tree branches or on the trunk of shrubs. Bumblebee nests should be left undisturbed if possible.
There is a a good bug identification guide here.
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South Devon SwarmLine
for honeybees ONLY
07891 554 012
(Totnes, Harberton/ford, Dartington, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Landscove, Littlehempston, Broadhempston)
If you see a bee swarm in a reasonably accessible place and want it removed, call the local swarm line and we will put you in touch with a beekeeper who can safely take the swarm. This is a free service.
If any structural work is involved in removing bees, for example, if they have made a nest in a wall or other part of a building, an assessment will be made before any work commences and you will be asked to agree terms for removal. Not all beekeepers are willing to undertake such work.
Plymouth Swarm Collection Service - 01752 516619
If you are near Bristol - especially to the east/south east, contact the North Somerset Swarm Collection Service or call 01934 876275
beekeeping books
Natural Beekeeping Network
Friends of the Bees
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