Quick facts
- Honeybee
- About 12 to 15 mm, fuzzy golden-brown body; swarms in spring and early summer
- Bumblebee
- Large, round and furry, often with coloured bands; small nests in the ground or cavities
- Mason and mining bees
- Solitary bees that dig or nest in walls, banks and lawns
- Stings
- Honeybees can sting once; most bees are not aggressive
- Status
- Many wild bees are in decline and bees should not be destroyed unnecessarily
How to identify bees
Bees are rounder and fuzzier than wasps. A honeybee swarm is a cluster of thousands of bees resting while scouts look for a new home. It looks alarming but is usually temporary and the bees are calm. A colony nesting inside a roof, chimney or wall is a different problem and can stay for years.
Bumblebees nest in small groups, often in the ground, compost heaps, bird boxes and sometimes lofts. Solitary bees, such as mining bees, make small holes in lawns and banks.
Signs of bees in your home
- A cluster of bees hanging from a branch, fence or wall, which suggests a swarm
- Many bees entering and leaving a gap in a roof, wall or chimney
- A humming sound in the wall or ceiling
- Wax or honey staining on internal walls in an established colony
- Small piles of soil in a lawn, which are signs of mining bees
Risks and damage
Bees sting if threatened, and stings are painful, with a risk of serious allergic reaction in some people. Established honeybee colonies in buildings can cause damage from wax and honey and attract other pests if the bees die or are removed incorrectly.
Why bees come into properties
Honeybee swarms are part of natural colony reproduction in late spring and summer. Roof spaces, chimneys and wall cavities are attractive nesting sites for a new colony.
How to prevent bees
- Seal gaps in roofs and walls before the swarming season
- Check air bricks and chimneys
- Do not use pesticides on bees, particularly in gardens
Professional bees and bee swarms by Southwark Pests
The usual approach is to contact a local beekeeper who can safely collect and relocate a swarm or colony. If the colony is in a building and the bees cannot be moved, a pest controller can advise on options. We do not destroy honeybees or bumblebees unless there is no alternative. Wasps are different and can be treated.
When to call a professional
Call a beekeeper or local bee-keeping association for a swarm. Call us if you are unsure whether insects are bees or wasps and need identification.
Bees and bee swarms across Southwark and London
London has thousands of hives on roofs and allotments, so honeybee swarms turn up in South London gardens every spring. Bumblebees nesting in bird boxes and masonry bees in old brickwork are also common. We cover South London, Central London (the City, the West End and Westminster), East London out to Stratford and Newham, and nearby parts of Kent, from our base at South Dock Marina in SE16. A standard visit is £90, and you can book online or call 020 8050 2022.
- Southwark
- Bermondsey
- Peckham
- Camberwell
- Rotherhithe
- Lambeth
- Brixton
- Lewisham
- Greenwich
- Bromley
- Bexley
- Kent
- Central London
- City of London
- Westminster
- East London
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Newham
- All areas
Bees and bee swarms: questions and answers
Are bees protected?
Honeybees are not specifically protected in the same way as some wildlife, but they are valuable and declining in the wild. Many species of wild bees are in decline, so avoid harming them.
What do I do about a swarm in my garden?
Keep away, keep children and pets indoors, and contact a local beekeeper through the British Bee Keepers Association or your local group.
How do I tell a bee from a wasp?
Wasps are smooth and brightly striped. Bees are fuzzy and rounder.
Will bees leave by themselves?
Swarms often move on within a day or two. An established colony in a roof will not.
Can you remove bees from my chimney?
We can help to identify them and refer you to a beekeeper where relocation is possible.
Are mining bees dangerous?
No. They are solitary, docile and rarely sting. The holes in lawns are harmless and temporary.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.