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Bee Swarming Season is here!

The bee swarming season has arrived. Firstly we recommend proofing any chimneys or areas where bees can ingress your property. If you do have a swarm appear in your garden do not be alarmed as they are unlikely to sting although the noise can be quite unnerving. A swarm is a cluster of bees, often about the size of a rugby ball, but sometimes larger. There may be some flying bees too, but most of them will be in a clump. Sometimes they’ll be spread out on a wall. Your first port of call is to contact your local beekeeping association to see if someone local can collect the swarm for free. (Cambridge Beekeeping Association: https://www.cbka.org.uk/services-to-the-public/swarm-collection/ )If they are unable to due to the location of the swarm or established colony then please contact us and we will do our best to conduct a live removal or advise on further action. For more information about bees see: https://www.skwardpestcontrol.co.uk/bee-control/

Hedgehogs

This little fella was found alive and well in a live capture squirrel trap. After filling his belly with peanuts and perhaps a little confused as to how he got there, we released him into the undergrowth. This is why we check our live capture traps everyday. Its important that we do not cause animals to suffer unduly. We do our best to make sure non target species are not affected by essential pest control measures.

Did you know that the Western European hedgehog (scientific name Erinaceus europaeus) is one of about 17 hedgehog species worldwide and unmistakable as Britain’s only spiny mammal. Their highly specialised coat contains around 6,000 creamy-brown spines and hangs around their body in a loose-ish ‘skirt’, concealing greyish fur on their underside, surprisingly long legs and a short tail.

There is wonderful local charity at Shepreth that takes in injured hedgehogs and rehabilitate and return to the wild. http://www.swccharity.org/hedgehog-hospital/

Solitary mining bees

A great example of a solitary mining bee this morning. We have had quite a few concerned calls about these little fellows recently as they look similar to wasps. They are really beneficial to the garden as a pollinating insect and help aerate the soil. They are not aggressive and rarely sting and their stings do not hurt. If they are really causing a problem, wait until autumn/winter and dig the nests up or turn the soil over in that area. Here is a great site for info on bee identification from BBKA: https://www.bbka.org.uk/what-bee-is-this Please contact us to speak to us about any bee concerns you have: https://www.skwardpestcontrol.co.uk/bee-control/