Are bee swarms dangerous? Usually not. Swarming bees are focused on finding a new home and are generally calm. They may sting if disturbed, so it’s best to keep children and pets away until we arrive.

Will the swarm just move on by itself? Sometimes — but often they relocate into roofs, walls, or tree hollows where they cause bigger problems. That’s why calling us early is the safest option.

How much does swarm removal cost? Swarm collections in the Macedon Ranges & Sunbury are free. If you have an established colony (bees already living inside a structure), please reach out to discuss options.

What happens to the bees after you collect them? Every swarm is quarantined, screened for pests, and rehomed into our community apiaries or with local host families. They go on to strengthen pollination and produce local honey.

How quickly can you attend? We’re based locally, so in most cases we can be there within hours during swarm season.

The biology of swarming is fascinating. It’s how a honey bee colony reproduces, and it’s a completely natural process. Because of this, people often suggest leaving a swarm alone, noting that it will usually move on if given time.

That's true - many do move on. But most don't go far: they often settle permanently in roofs, chimneys, walls, or sheds where people live and work. Others take over tree hollows and nesting sites used by our native birds and marsupials, then go on to outcompete native pollinators for food and habitat. Swarms can also spread pests and diseases to neighbouring bee colonies. 

So while the swarm might leave the bush, fence, BBQ or wall you first spotted them on, where they go and what they do next usually creates much bigger problems later. 

Sadly, not all swarms succeed in finding a new home. Those that fail often weaken and die in place — and as their survival instincts intensify, they may become more aggressive.

• Stay calm. Swarming bees are focused on protecting their queen and finding a suitable home. They rarely sting unless provoked.
  
  

• Keep your distance. Make sure children, pets, and anyone not needed stays well away. Even though swarms are usually docile, and interesting to look at, large numbers of bees can cause alarm.
  
  

• Do not spray.  Pesticides kill bees unnecessarily and can make safe collection dangerous. Even spraying with water can scatter or agitate the swarm, increasing the risk to people and bees.

• Observe safely.  If possible, take note of where the swarm is clustered (tree, fence, wall, BBQ, chimney). A photo from a safe distance is extremely helpful for us to plan removal.
  
  

• Call us or report online – Contact Mount Macedon Honey, or another local Beekeeper, as soon as you can. We’ll give you immediate advice and attend quickly to safely collect and rehome the bees.

When you call Mount Macedon Honey, you’re choosing a local team that values both community and the environment. We’re not just removing bees, we’re rescuing and rehoming them so they can continue their vital role in pollination.

✅ Fast local response. Based in the Macedon Ranges, we can often attend within hours. If we can't we'll find someone who can.

✅ Safe & humane. We don't exterminate bees, we rehome them.

✅ Community focused. Every swarm supports our community apiaries, hosting programs and honey labels.

✅ Experienced. Trusted beekeepers with years of experience and the right equipment.

✅ Educational. We take time to share knowledge with you as we rescue the bees.

✅ Purpose. Every swarm we rescue goes on to support a bigger mission.

Instead of being destroyed, each colony is carefully quarantined and screened for pests and disease, then rehomed into our community apiaries or with local host families. 

These bees go from unexpected, uninvited swarms to thriving managed colonies, strengthening pollination for farms, backyards, and communities across the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury. 

By choosing us, you’re supporting pollinators, the people who rely on them and the balance of your local ecosystem.

Mount Macedon Honey provides fast, safe swarm removal across the Macedon Ranges and Sunbury

We regularly respond to swarms in:

• Macedon and Mount Macedon

• Woodend

• Gisborne and New Gisborne

• Riddells Creek

• Kyneton

• Romsey

• Lancefield

• Sunbury

• Trentham

• Surrounds

For just a little of your time to contact us and report a swarm, we’ll safely collect, screen, and rehome the bees at no charge.

Why? Because we’d much rather you call us to collect the swarm than leave it to move on to a place where it could cause future problems — or worse, call an exterminator.

Whilst we don’t accept payment for swarm collection, we always carry 1kg tubs of Goodwill Honey during the swarm season. If you’d like to support our work, you’re welcome to buy some directly from the beekeeper. The profits from this honey go toward fuel, feeding, and equipment costs that keep our swarm rescue program running.

🐝 Ask about Goodwill Honey when we collect your swarm.