The Borough Council provides an advisory service for dealing with bees in domestic premises and if necessary in extreme circumstances may treat on a rechargeable basis.

Swarms of honey bees during May and June present anxieties to those whose homes they choose to land on. 

Swarms are normally fairly docile as they have no young to defend and will have gorged themselves on honey for their journey.

After they leave their parent colony they will settle for up to two days while they scout the surrounding area for a permanent (warm, dry and defensible) home.

They often land in trees or in long grass, the favourite area on houses for swarms is usually chimneys.

The beekeeper is likely to be looking for the missing swarm, as it is valuable to him - it can be used to start a new hive.

There are several different kinds of solitary bees, but the commonest groups are the mining and masonry bees.  The may be seen in Spring excavating soft mortar, between brickwork to make their individual nests.  Re-pointing of these areas is the best solution to this problem.  These bees cannot successfully sting humans.