Pest control & removal
BeeControl & Removal
Fast, RSPH-qualified, fully insured bee treatment with same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency call-outs across the UK.
Identification
How to identify bees
Recognising Bees: Identifying bees correctly is crucial for managing their presence safely and effectively. Here are key characteristics to help you recognise bees: Identification Features: Physical Appearance: Bees are typically robust with hairy bodies and can range in colour from golden-yellow to black. They are usually about 1-2 cm long. Behaviour: Bees are generally non-aggressive unless provoked and are often seen around flowers collecting pollen and nectar. Nest Locations: Bees can nest in a variety of places including tree hollows, wall cavities, and underground burrows. Honey bees often form hives in sheltered locations. Sound: Bees produce a distinct buzzing sound, which can help in identifying their presence. Common Types of Bees: Honey Bees: Known for their role in pollination and honey production, often seen in gardens and farms. Bumblebees: Larger and hairier, commonly found in gardens and woodlands. Solitary Bees: Nest individually rather than in colonies, often in soil or wood.
Warning signs
Signs of a bee infestation
Bees do not "infest" a property in the pest sense, but the following indicate an established presence rather than passing foragers: - A steady, two-way stream of bees coming and going from a single point such as an airbrick, soffit, roof tile gap, chimney pot or wall cavity, especially on warm afternoons. - A swarm: a dense, hanging cluster of thousands of honey bees on a branch, fence post, wall or chimney, often arriving suddenly and accompanied by loud buzzing. Swarms are usually temporary, staying a few hours to a couple of days while scouts find a permanent home. - Audible buzzing from within a wall, ceiling void, chimney breast or loft, sometimes felt as a faint vibration. - Honey or wax seepage, brown staining or a sweet, fermenting smell on internal walls or ceilings, indicating an established honey bee colony within the structure. - For bumblebees: a small number of large, hairy bees entering a hole in the ground, a compost heap, a bird box, an air vent or under decking and loft insulation. - For mining bees: small volcano-like mounds of fine soil in lawns or borders in spring, each with a single bee. - For mortar/masonry bees: small round holes and fine dust in soft or eroded mortar joints, with single bees hovering close to old brickwork. Distinguish from wasps, whose nests show a grey, papery construction and whose traffic is faster and more erratic.
Why it matters
Health & property risks
For most people the main risk from bees is a sting, which causes localised pain, redness and swelling. Honey bees leave their barbed sting and venom sac embedded in the skin; this should be scraped out sideways rather than pinched, as squeezing pumps in more venom. Bumblebees and solitary bees can sting but very rarely do, and solitary bees are effectively harmless. The most serious risk is anaphylaxis in people with a bee-venom allergy. Signs include widespread hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness or collapse, and this is a medical emergency requiring 999 and, where available, an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen). Multiple simultaneous stings, most likely when a colony is disturbed, can cause a toxic reaction even in non-allergic individuals, so a defensive colony near a doorway, footpath or play area is treated as a genuine hazard. Secondary risks are largely physical rather than disease-related: bees do not transmit human disease in the way rodents do. However, a large established honey bee colony in a cavity or chimney can leave significant honeycomb and honey deposits; if the colony later dies or is treated, melting honey can stain ceilings, attract wasps, ants and rodents, and cause damp and odour problems. Panic reactions to swarms (for example on ladders or near roads) are also a recognised injury risk.
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Our treatment
How we treat bees
Treatment Approach: Blades Pest Solutions offers effective methods for dealing with bee infestations while prioritising safety and environmental responsibility. Here’s our approach: Treatment Options: Relocation: Wherever possible, we work with local beekeepers to relocate bee swarms and nests safely. Honey bee swarms can often be relocated by contacting the British Beekeepers Association. Controlled Treatment: In cases where relocation isn't feasible, we use safe and effective methods to manage bee populations. Preventative Measures: We provide advice and solutions to prevent bees from nesting in problematic areas. Preparation for Treatment: Preparation Guidelines: Ensure that the area is accessible and follow any specific instructions provided by our team. Post-Treatment Actions: Follow our recommendations to prevent future infestations and maintain safety.
Our expert advice
Managing Bee Presence: Dealing with bees requires a thoughtful approach to ensure safety and conservation. Here are our expert recommendations: Inspection Tips: Regular Checks: Inspect your property for signs of bee activity, particularly in spring and summer. Professional Assessment: If you suspect a significant bee presence, consider a professional inspection for a thorough assessment. Handling Bee Swarms: Stay Calm: If you encounter a bee swarm, stay calm and avoid sudden movements. Bees are usually non-aggressive during swarming. Contact Professionals: For safe removal or relocation, contact professional pest controllers. Honey bee swarms can often be safely collected by the British Beekeepers Association. Visit BBKA Swarm Removal as the first port of call.
Keep them away
How to prevent bees
To prevent bees from nesting in unwanted areas, regularly inspect potential nesting sites and seal any cracks or holes in walls and roofs. Keep sweet foods and drinks covered when outdoors.
Did you know
Bee facts
Bee Facts: Understanding key facts about bees can help you appreciate their role in the ecosystem and manage their presence responsibly. Key Facts: Pollination: Bees play a critical role in pollinating plants, which is vital for food production and biodiversity. Non-Aggressive Nature: Most bees are non-aggressive and will only sting in self-defence or if they feel threatened. Swarming: Swarming is a natural process where bees leave their hive to form a new colony. Swarms are generally not aggressive. Species Diversity: There are over 250 species of bees in the UK, each with unique behaviours and habitats.
UK seasonality
When are bees most active in the UK?
Bee activity in the UK is strongly seasonal and aligns with flowering and temperature. - January-February: Most colonies dormant. Honey bees cluster quietly in the hive/cavity; little outside activity. Mild spells may bring out occasional bumblebee queens. - March: Queen bumblebees emerge from hibernation to feed and search for nest sites. Early honey bee foraging begins. First mining bee activity in warm spots. - April: Activity ramps up. Bumblebee queens establish nests; solitary and mining bees become noticeable; mortar/masonry bees active around older brickwork. Honey bee colonies expanding rapidly. - May-June: Peak season and the main swarming period for honey bees, when established colonies split and large swarms appear and seek new homes (cavities, chimneys, lofts). Highest volume of swarm and nest call-outs. - July: Colonies at full strength. Bumblebee nests reach peak size; high foraging activity in warm weather. Some late honey bee swarming. - August: Bumblebee colonies begin to decline and produce new queens and males. Honey bee colonies still strong; wasp confusion is common at this time, so accurate identification matters. - September: Bumblebee nests largely die out naturally, leaving empty nests. Honey bees prepare for winter; new bumblebee queens seek hibernation sites. - October-December: Activity winds down to near zero. Honey bees overwinter as a colony; bumblebee queens hibernate. Empty bumblebee/solitary nests can be safely proofed during this dormant window. Best time for relocation is spring and early summer for honey bee swarms; best time for proofing and prevention is autumn/winter once colonies are inactive.
The law
UK law & bee control
Bees are not legally protected in the same way as bats, but responsible, RSPH-qualified control treats them very differently from wasps. Our firm policy is relocation over extermination wherever it is safe and practical to do so. Honey bees: Honey bee swarms and colonies should not be destroyed as a first resort. Wherever access allows, we relocate them or refer you to a local swarm collector via the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) swarm line, which can often collect a settling swarm free of charge. Destruction is considered only where a colony is genuinely inaccessible (for example, deep within a chimney breast or cavity wall) and presents a real risk to occupants. Bumblebees: Bumblebee nests are small, short-lived (a single season) and die out naturally by late summer/autumn, leaving an empty nest that is not reused. Because of this and their importance as pollinators, our standard advice is to leave them undisturbed and let the colony complete its cycle. We will not destroy a bumblebee nest unless it poses a clear safety risk to a vulnerable person. Solitary bees (including mining bees and mortar/masonry bees): These are non-aggressive, do not form colonies and are valuable pollinators. Treatment is rarely justified; advice usually focuses on tolerance and minor proofing once the brief active season has passed. All UK wild bees are covered by the general principles of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 regarding the use of methods that could cause unnecessary suffering, and any pesticide use must comply with the Control of Pesticides Regulations and product label conditions. Pesticides must never be applied to actively foraging or flowering areas in a way that risks the wider bee population. Important distinction: bees should not be confused with wasps or hornets, which are not protected, can be aggressively defensive, do not produce honey and are treated by destruction rather than relocation. Correct identification before any action is essential.
Pricing
What affects bee control cost?
No two bee jobs are priced the same; a quote depends on assessment and the following drivers (we do not quote fixed prices without inspection): - Species and the correct course of action: relocation of a honey bee swarm or colony differs greatly in effort from advice-only visits for bumblebees or solitary bees. Misidentified wasp nests are a different job entirely. - Whether relocation is possible: accessible, recently settled honey bee swarms may be collected at low or no cost via a local BBKA collector, whereas an established colony built into a structure requires far more work. - Location and accessibility of the nest/colony: ground level versus high roofline, chimney, cavity wall or loft. Height drives whether ladders, scaffolding, a tower or a cherry picker / MEWP are needed, which significantly affects cost. - Extent of establishment: a fresh swarm is simpler than a long-standing honey bee colony with extensive comb, which may require opening up the structure. - Cut-out and removal works: physically removing comb, honey and bees from a wall or chimney, plus any building reinstatement, is the most labour-intensive scenario. - Remedial cleaning and proofing: clearing honey/wax residue to prevent damp, odour and secondary pests, then sealing entry points (airbricks, soffits, mortar) to prevent recolonisation. - Number of visits required and follow-up checks. - Site-specific risk factors: proximity to vulnerable occupants, schools, food premises or allergy sufferers, and any access restrictions or safety requirements. - Travel/call-out and the seasonal demand peak in late spring and summer.
Local engineers
Bee control near you
We provide local bee control across the region, including:
Advice & guides
Bee advice & guides
Practical, expert reading on dealing with bees - from spotting the signs to safe, lasting treatment.
Pests
Bees Nesting at Your Property? What to Do
Found bees in a chimney, wall or roof? Here is how to tell bees from wasps, why honey bees should be relocated rather than killed, and how to get honest advice on the safest way forward.
Read guidePests
How to Get Rid of Wasps & Wasp Nests
How to spot a wasp nest early, why wasps are a real sting and allergy risk, and the fastest, safest way to get rid of them without putting yourself in harm's way.
Read guideIdentification
Wasp or Bee? How to Tell the Difference
Wasp or bee? Getting the identification right changes everything: wasps can be treated, but honey bees are vital pollinators that we relocate or leave wherever we safely can.
Read guide
FAQs
Bee control FAQs
- How do I get rid of bees fast?
- The fastest, most reliable route is a professional treatment. Blades Pest Solutions uses RSPH-qualified methods to eliminate bees at source, with same-day and 24/7 emergency appointments. Call 0800 037 7358.
- What are the signs of a bee infestation?
- Bees do not "infest" a property in the pest sense, but the following indicate an established presence rather than passing foragers: - A steady, two-way stream of bees coming and going from a single point such as an airbrick, soffit, roof tile gap, chimney pot or wall cavity, especially on warm afternoons. - A swarm: a dense, hanging cluster of thousands of honey bees on a branch, fence post, wall or chimney, often arriving suddenly and accompanied by loud buzzing.
- Are bees dangerous to health?
- For most people the main risk from bees is a sting, which causes localised pain, redness and swelling. Honey bees leave their barbed sting and venom sac embedded in the skin; this should be scraped out sideways rather than pinched, as squeezing pumps in more venom.
- How much does bee control cost?
- No two bee jobs are priced the same; a quote depends on assessment and the following drivers (we do not quote fixed prices without inspection): - Species and the correct course of action: relocation of a honey bee swarm or colony differs greatly in effort from advice-only visits for bumblebees or solitary bees. Misidentified wasp nests are a different job entirely.
- Are your bee treatments safe for children and pets?
- Yes. As a RSPH-qualified contractor we follow industry best practice and apply targeted treatments responsibly, so your family and pets stay safe.
- How quickly can you treat a bee problem?
- We offer same-day appointments and 24/7 emergency response for urgent bee infestations across our coverage area. Fully licensed & insured.
Got bees? We'll sort it - fast.
Speak to a local, RSPH-qualified engineer now. 24/7 emergency cover and same-day response.
Free quote · Same-day · 24/7 emergency