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Find your closest SA SWARM Collectors

The Information on this Page is Offered as a Public Service

The BSSA Swarm Collector's list includes beekeepers that have knowledge and experience in collecting swarms and in some cases, undertaking more complex bee removals. 

The Swarm Collectors are not employed by the Society, nor do they pay a listing fee. 

Every Swarm Collector is expected to hold their own public liability insurance and employ recognised Work Health Safety Standards when collecting swarms. 

The BSSA expects Swarm Collectors to uphold professional standards and represent the Society in a positive manner. Failure to do so may result in their removal from the BSSA Swarm Collector's list. 

If you would like to provide feedback about your experience using the service of any of the swarm collectors listed on the BSSA website, please send an email to office@bees.org.au

Swarm Collector Contact Details & Service Areas

Beekeepers may charge a call-out fee, an hourly rate, or a flat rate for their time and travel costs, which is less than typically charged by a pest controller.  Charges should be negotiated before the work commences.  Some Collectors may ask you to sign a simple agreement that protects them from liability.

It is best to SMS the swarm collectors instead of phoning, because often they are busy chasing bees, and it helps them keep track of multiple swarms in a day.

Swarming bees are generally peaceful, if they are not disturbed. Move slowly around them and do not spray or swat at them.
Please take a photo as close as you are willing to get to them, because a picture can be better than a thousand words.

You do not need to let the bees settle for 48 hours. They are looking for a new home and if you leave them for 48 hours it stresses the homeless swarm and increases the risk of the bees moving into a cavity in or around your home.

A normal swarm collection usually involves at least 2 visits. The normal process is to relocate the swarm into a bee box and then leave the bee box near to where the swarm was. Then wait until dusk or after dark for all the bees to enter the box.  Then the bee box is taken away and looked after by the beekeeper.  It can then be a year of care for the bees to build the colony's strength to the point where there is excess honey to harvest.

Please SMS answers to the following questions, or be prepared to answer the following questions on the phone.  

    1. Your first name and suburb.
    2. How long have the bees been there? i.e. hours, days, months, years?
    3. How big is the swarm?  i.e. 20 bees trying to get into wall vents, football sized bunch, basketball sized, 2 basketballs?
    4. How high are they?  i.e. below 2m, 5m in a tree?
    5. If a swarm, what are they attached to?  i.e. a wall, door, bush, tree, fence?
    6. If an established hive, what are they going into? i.e. an old speaker, chair, cupboard, wall, bird box?
    7. Is it your property, or public land or a neighbours?

The Google map below has details of all the Swarm Collectors base location.

You can click on the pin of the Swarm Collectors to obtain their name and mobile number.

If you have problems with the map on your device try clicking in the top right to get "Full Screen View".

Also included below the map is a table that has all the names, mobile numbers, and base suburb.

The table is sorted by suburb, from North to South.

An asterisk (*) by the surname indicates that the collector is able to do more difficult removals.

Swarm Beekeepers Areas


NAME BASED MOBILE
Ian C Loxton 0428 876 220
Josh B Tanunda 0439 815 806
Gavin P* South Gawler 0411 850 679
Jason E Yattalunga 0412 110 310
David U Wynn Vale 0412 833 747
Asher T* Fairview Park 0412 413 179
Frank L Para Hills 0411 354 517
Jorg Blair Athol 0400 742 118
Jack G Croydon Park 0431 147 334
Sabine P Norton Summit 0403 996 798
Josh D Unley 0455 882 820
Tom A* Bridgewater 0400 686 401
Simon G* Mitchell Park 0405 459 274
Leon V* Eden Hills 0404 501 836
Bradley W Woodcroft 0474 151 158
Kyah D Murray Bridge 0459 148 725
Mark R* Port Elliot 0402 381 169
Mark S Bordertown 0424 576 366


About Bee Swarming

Swarming is a natural instinct of a bee colony, and a part of their reproductive cycle, leaving the hive to establish another colony elsewhere.

Below are examples of swarms of bees. If you see a ball of bees hanging from a branch or any other structure, this is a swarm.

If they’re undisturbed, they’re not aggressive!

One of the main reasons for bees swarming is overcrowding of the hive due to the queen laying more eggs as the weather warms and an increase of resources (nectar and pollen) being brought to the hive, creating congestion within the colony. Honey bees are the only type of bees that swarm.

Swarming season can begin as early as August and run through until February, March. The queen and anywhere between 5,000 to 20,000 worker bees will leave the hive and land in gardens, or sometimes in even more obscure places; a post, tree or fence in your backyard.

Once the swarm of bees has landed and settled, they will form a tight ball around the queen, keeping her warm and ensuring she is safe. Foraging bees may be flying to and fro collecting nectar, water and looking for a more permanent home. 

Do's and Don'ts

Remember, much of our food is derived from European plants and need well managed European bees for pollination. Poorly managed and feral European bees can be a nuisance and can compete with native bees. The BSSA supports the responsible management of European honey bees. Don’t worry, bees in a swarm are NOT aggressive or inclined to sting unless provoked.

DON’T

  • Attempt to move the swarm by hosing it, throwing stones or poking a stick at it. 

  • Spray it with insecticide. This can make the bees sick or at the very worst kill them.

  • Assume they are wasps; bees and wasps can look similar.

  • Try to remove a swarm yourself.

DO

  • Stay inside till the swarm has clustered and most of the bees have stopped flying, watch for foraging bees flying to and from the swarm as they may not see you and get caught in your hair or clothing.

  • Wear footwear to protect your feet in case some bees have landed on the ground.

  • Check the BSSA Swarm Collector list (above) for an experienced beekeeper who will collect and relocate your swarm.

  • Note that if bees are found on public property or a road verge, contact your local Council for assistance.

  • Know that if your swarm is located in a chimney or wall cavity, it is most likely a pest control operator may need to be called. This may mean the bees will need to be killed, so getting advice from a trained  and experienced swarm collector is advised.


Beekeepers’ Society of South Australia Inc.
P.O. Box 283, Fullarton SA 5063
office@bees.org.au
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