Have you discovered a swarm of honey bees in Stroud or the surrounding areas? Don’t worry, I’m here to help! As a local beekeeper, I offer assistance in safely collecting and relocating honey bee swarms. My goal is to protect and preserve these vital pollinators while ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
Collected swarms will be reshoused at the Bee Observatory at Oakbrook Community Farm, or similar projects, or given to local natural beekeepers. Honey Bee swarms are a natural process, the collected bees will be rehoused on aiparys away from built up areas.
Contact
Christian Gruetzmacher
bees@oakbrookfarm.org.uk
07500733181
Christian has led educational honeybee projects for many years and runs the bee garden and observatory at Oakbrook Farm
What is The Bee Observatory?
The Bee Observatory is a bee education and conservation project. Unlike traditional bee-keeping which focuses on taking honey from bees, this project is focused on education through observing bees in natural conditions. Volunteers are creating new bee habitats on the farm, and regular open days allow visitors to get up close with the bees and learn about their amazing ways. Keep an eye on our events page for more info. Formerly a tenant in their own right, in 2023 the Oakbrook team agreed to bring The Bee Observatory in house and incorporate it as an integral part of the farm.
Why Choose This Service?
- Experienced Beekeeper: With a passion for beekeeping, I handle swarm collections with care and professionalism.
- Voluntary Service: This is a voluntary service driven by a commitment to the wellbeing of honey bees and our local community.
- Non-Destructive: The focus is on safely removing and relocating the swarm, not destroying it, to support the local bee population.
- Natural Beekeeping Methods: Once collected, swarms are rehoused to apiaries prioritising natural beekeeping methods, therapeutic beekeeping, and education at The Bee Observatory at Oakbrook Community Farm, Ruskin Mill College, or with local beekeepers who prioritise the health and natural behaviour of the bees.
What to Expect
If you find a swarm that needs collecting in Stroud or nearby, please follow the instructions below to report it, and I will get in touch with you as soon as possible. The best thing to do is call Chrisitan as soon as you see a swarm.
Swarms tend to emerge on warm, sunny days between May and late July, most commonly between 11am and 4pm. There is often a noticeable spike in activity on a bright day following a spell of poor weather, particularly when temperatures rise into the high teens. The sight of a honey bee swarm can be quite striking—thousands of bees forming a loud, swirling cloud—but this dramatic display usually calms as the bees settle into a clustered mass within about 15 minutes.
Thank you for helping to protect these essential pollinators in our community!
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