04/06/2026
๐ Ever noticed a cloud of bees flying in circles outside a wall, tree cavity, or roof space?
These are European Tree Bees (Bombus hypnorum), and what youโre seeing is perfectly natural behaviour. The males gather outside the nest entrance and fly in looping patterns while waiting for newly emerged queens to leave the nest so they can mate.
Although it can look alarming, these bees are generally non-aggressive and are simply carrying out an important part of their life cycle.
The good news? โณ This activity is temporary. The colony will naturally decline shortly, with workers and males dying off as the season progresses. Only the newly mated queens survive the winter, finding sheltered spots to hibernate before starting new nests next spring.
At Barricade Pest Control, we do not treat bees. Bees are vital pollinators and an important part of our ecosystem. In most cases, the best course of action is to leave them alone, give them space, and let nature take its course. ๐ผ๐