Honey bee swarm collection 2026

A message from the Jersey Beekeepers Association :

This statement supersedes all other information about the collection of swarms, as there are now NEW Swarm Coordinators. Please update your records accordingly.

Swarms should be reported to one of the following Swarm Coordinators. Reporters should call the coordinator that seems the most appropriate for their area, but if there is no answer, try another:

Swarm Coordinator (West) – Richard Plaster – 07797 849453

Swarm Coordinator (Central)– Emma Paul – 07797 911165

Swarm Coordinator (East) – Mike Aubert – 07802 422880

The coordinators will then arrange for a swarm collector to contact the reporter, provide advice and, all being well, collect the swarm.

If a cloud of bees (the swarm) are in flight, people should stay back, go indoors and close windows. The bees will usually move away or settle. If they settle, they should not be disturbed and you should call a Swarm Coordinator.

The Jersey Beekeepers’ Association (JBKA) offers this public service of safely collecting and homing any honeybee swarms. Swarm collectors are appropriately experienced beekeepers, registered with the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) and are insured for carrying out beekeeping activities, including the collection of swarms.

This service is provided on a voluntary basis and as such, a swarm collector might not be able to attend immediately. Depending on the circumstances, they may not be able to collect ALL swarms and colonies, e.g. those too high or inaccessible.

Any suspected Asian Hornet sightings should be reported immediately to the Asian Hornet Coordinator. See www.gov.je  telephoning 441633 or via the “Asian Hornet Watch” app (available for Apple and Android)