Are bees protected?

Despite 25% of bee species being endangered, there are no laws or legislation to protect them.

Throughout the UK, a total of 70 crops are dependent on our wonderful bees. Without bees, these crops and plants would struggle to pollinate, and the impact of this would be vast.

For example, many flowers and plants rely upon bees to pollinate them, becoming part of the feed animals on farms.

It is estimated that the value of bees in the UK for commercially grown pollinated crops is over £200 million per year.

I’ve Found a Bee Nest. What do I do?

Quite often, when coming across a species of bee within their properties, members of the public (and those from commercial properties) will call either one of two people, a beekeeper, or a pest controller.

Unless the bee’s nest is in a place where it could be easily disturbed, the best thing to do is leave it alone.

Neither the bees nor the nest will provide any threat to you if you can leave them alone without bother. In fact, by leaving the next alone, you are helping to keep bees protected by keeping them near a source of pollen and food.

Due to a bee’s lifespan, most nests will disappear on their own as the remaining bees flee to create a new nest for the next working season. However, if the nest is near a doorway, for example, there are two steps to consider, both of which would require you to contact an expert.

Since bees are endangered, a preferred option for a bee nest would be relocation, an option that a local beekeeper or pest controller could offer.

An alternative step is to eradicate the bees through treatment completely, which we always strive to avoid.

However, please remember, do not attempt to remove the nest yourself; it can be extremely dangerous for an untrained individual to perform.