Swarms
It is thought that honeybees have been on Earth for around 26 million years but sadly since the invasion of a parasite called Varroa jacobsoni British and European races of bees are now under threat of extinction. Wild colonies, which cannot be treated, are dying out and the number of swarms should decrease. It is estimated that approximately 30% of our food crops rely on pollination and as honeybees are usually the most important pollinators it is easy to imagine what devastating consequences their absence may mean. Every single bee is therefore very precious and all swarms need to be caught and cared for by beekeepers.
If you should happen to come across a swarm they are usually quite docile. To be on the safe side keep children and pets well away so the bees are not disturbed and immediately telephone a beekeeper. Listed below are members of the Guildford Division who are happy to collect swarms. If you have difficulty in finding a local beekeeper your library, the police, or the Environmental Health Department may have a more comprehensive list. Beekeepers may ask for a small fee to cover the costs involved.
Swarm Collectors
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AREA SWARM COLLECTOR TEL. NO. Godalming Mr. John Loudon 01483 422195 Guildford Mr George Steadman 01483-502867 Guildford Mr T Faulkner 01483 560281 Knaphill Mr. A. Gibb 01483 475072 Wisley Mr. Bernard Boardman 01932 353268 Hascombe Mr Kelsey 01483-208557 Merrow Mr Jonathan Banton 01483-561876 Milford/Godalming Mr Martin Read 01483-860841/429080 Shere Mr Malcolm Clarke 01483 202294 St John's Mr John Hamer 01483-475259 West End Mr Francis Hall 01483-472250 West Horsley Dr Peter Dawson 01483-282765 West Horsley Mr. M. Weller 01483 285580 S.W.Surrey
Mr. Dave Weedon
01428 685503
Witley Mr Derek Swallow 01483-682012 Woking
Mrs. Evie Pelham 01483 858766 Windlesham Mrs. Jo Pearson 01286 473163
We depend on your support to help us care for our precious honeybees. Please remember that any assistance given by a beekeeper is provided on the basis that neither the Association nor its member can be held responsible for any inadvertant misadventure during the process of collecting swarms. Beekeepers are not experts in pest control, tree surgery or steeplejacks!! Swarms are collected subject to their accessibility
Guildford Borough Environmental Health 01483 444371
Waverley Borough Env. Health 01483 869424
Woking Borough Council Env. Health 01483 755855
