Swarm Receipt List

PDBKA provides a free swarm collection service each year from April to September to support the public, local businesses and our wonderful pollinators – see Swarm Collection.

We are extremely grateful to PDBKA members who kindly volunteer their time and experience to collect swarms. The collected swarms are then allocated to PDBKA members registered on that year’s swarm list, so that they can care for them and nurture them into strong, healthy colonies.

PDBKA Members who wish to be considered for a swarm of bees should register their request via the online form link circulated to members by email in March or by completing a paper form at one of the monthly members meetings. 

Please remember that going on the swarm list does not guarantee you will receive a swarm, as we cannot control how many swarms will be collected. To help manage expectations, if a large number of members sign up, we will temporarily close the list to new sign-ups until sufficient swarms have been collected and allocated to meet the majority of demand.

When allocating swarms, priority will be given to those who are currently without any bees. As the number of available swarms is unpredictable, we recommend that those who already have strong colonies and are looking to increase, do this by creating splits – which can also be undertaken as part of their swarm control methods.

Swarms can only be collected or allocated to those who are Registered Members of PDBKA, and thus hold the relevant insurance cover.

Our swarms policy and procedures follow the advice and guidance for good practice from the BBKA/NBU, and we advise anyone collecting or receiving a swarm to refresh their knowledge of this advice.

It is well established that captured swarms carry an increased risk of disease and high parasitic load, have been the source of a number of EFB cases within our community in the last few years and are more likely to abscond if not managed correctly.  Therefore, we have amended our policy to ensure that anyone receiving a PDBKA collected swarms has sufficient experience and knowledge to manage a swarm, including the importance of never housing a swarm on pre-drawn foundation, not feeding prematurely, quarantining from other colonies for at least 3 weeks and treating for varroa.

The small donation provided by those receiving a swarm, helps to support the running costs of our free swarm collection service and contributes to the travel costs incurred by volunteers when collecting swarms.