Question 1 - What type of bees do you have?

If the insects are furry and have a yellow or white bottom, they're probably bumble bees:

Tap/click to confirm:

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Do the bees live in a small space such as a birdbox, hole in the wall, or underground? They're probably other types of bee.

Left: mining bee; right: mason bee.

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Are the insects smooth, with very pronounced yellow and black stripes, with red legs? These are probably hornets.

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Are the insects smooth, with very pronounced yellow and black stripes, with yellow legs? These are probably common wasps.

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If you see this insect, with a bright orange "bottom", it could be the Asian Hornet.

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These are honeybees:

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If you've reached this far, it means you probably don't know what type of insects you have, or that you've identified the insect but they're not listed above. If the insect is not listed above then we at North Bucks Beekeepers' Association, who are keepers of honey bees, can't help you.
If you don't know what insects you have, tap/click to see your options:

You have wasps or European hornets

We suggest that you leave these useful native insects alone, and they will leave you alone. Honestly.
If you feel you must kill them, you can Google a local exterminator

You have Asian hornets

This is a deadly non-native pest that you have a legal obligaton to report. Please report its presence to the non-native species secretariat.

You have bees other than honey bees

Congratulations! These wonderful little bees have chosen to live near you, and you should feel honoured. These bees will not do you any harm if you leave them alone. They won't damage your building either. They will die off at the end of the summer.
Don't annoy them (e.g. don't bang the shed door if they're living in the shed) and they'll ignore you.
Please note, a professional exterminator will not destroy these bees.
Depending on our rota, our volunteer on duty may be able to rehome the nest if it is accessible but this will be for a fee. If you want to talk about this with a local beekeeper, tap/click here:

You don't know what type of insects you have

There's not a great deal we can do if you're not even able to differentiate a bumble bee from a honey bee from a wasp. We feel this is a skill everyone should have. You'll need to identify them and then revist this page to complete this process again.
Please don't complete this form again using different options just to get our number. We won't be able to work out what insects you have, let alone advise you on what to do, based on a vague description.

Question 2 - are the honey bees in a cluster like this?

If the bees are not in a cluster like this, we can't help you.

Tap/click to confirm:

Question 3 - are the bees accessible in a reasonable way?

We can't climb up onto your roof, take up your floorboards, dismantle your shed, take out your bricks, or turn up with a huge ladder.
We need permission from the landowner so if the bees are in your neighbour's garden you must ensure that the neighbour is agreeable (we don't want to turn up to a locked door).
If the bees can be reached with reasonable ease (including with a step ladder or a long ladder that you can supply), we can probably help you.
If your bees are inaccessible we advise you to simply leave them alone, most species of bee that live in such places will die out naturally at the end of the summer, and won't cause you any problems if you leave them alone.

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Question 4 - do you agree to our fees?

Our volunteers provide a FREE service for honey bee swarms.
If we come and the information you've given us is incorrect (e.g. they're not honeybees in an accessible swarm cluster) we may charge an administration fee of around £15. If the bees are significantly out of our volunteer's collection radius, we may charge a small amount for petrol. For bumble bees, our honeybee team may be able to help you for a fee, which you'll discuss on your call. Is that OK?

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Question 5 - voice calls only

Our hotline wil redirect you to the volunteer on duty this week, but we can only accept voice calls to our hotline number. Don't send a text message or leave a voicemail on the following number.

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OK, here's the number

Please phone us, do not send a text message or voice mail.

07594 171442 (voice calls only)
Click to call 07594 171442

We don't make any money on this call; in fact we pay to provide this service to you and the public.

Alternatively please use the national swarm collector finder if you have a swarm.