MAY brings the beginning of a natural swarming season for bees when colonies divide and an older ?queen? leaves home accompanied by perhaps several thousand older bees to find a new residence.
A swarm can vary from the size of a football to something looking big enough to fill a shopping bag but it should not be disturbed. When some of the bees are home hunting, open doors or windows may be inviting to bees.
Members of the Okehampton branch of Devon Beekeepers? Association can provide free help whenever possible. Two were called upon three times in two days recently to remove swarms in a building, from a tree branch overhanging a public footpath and a bush in the Waitrose car park.
Okehampton Library has contact telephone numbers that staff will provide to anyone anxious about a problem swarm.
In the Okehampton area beekeepers Roy Radford (01837 840547) or David May (840202) can be contacted, and branch chairman Bob Hurdle on 01647 231511 or Clifford White on 01837 840208 will either assist or seek assistance from members as far as Chagford and Crediton.