THE GWENT Beekeeping Association is offering advice to help preserve and protect the honey bees.

"Everyone is now familiar with the plight of our honey bees. They are in serious decline and we don't really know the reason for this decline. There are, however, actions you can take to help the bees, and this is the first in a series of articles to let you know how you are able to help.

"Bees swarm in May and June- and sometimes even in July and August. Swarming happens when the bees' home becomes too full and half the bees leave to find another home. It can appear a little scary- but bees in a swarm are generally just waiting, biding time, for when their scout bees return to tell them they have found a suitable new home. Then the swarm will leave en mass and go to the new home found by the scout bees. Yes, some bees have the job of scouting to find a suitable location for a new home. This might be in a tree, a compost bin, a disused hive, your chimney or any dark space with a small opening.

"A swarm looks like a brown, quivery, football or a rugby ball and is usually in a tree or a bush but may also be massed on a post, or a building, pictured.

"Usually, some bees are flying around the swarm, and it can look and sound busy- or even angry. But it isn't. The bees are surrounding their queen bee, who will have led them from their home, and are just waiting for news of where they are to go next. They will not fly until their scout bees have told them where to go- and then they will take off and go straight to their new home.

They won't deviate and they are not aggressive. The bees are not a threat to anyone who observes or walks past. They might stay as a swarm for a few minutes, hours or sometimes even days whilst scout bees search for a new home. They will disappear quite quickly into their new-found home and will set about making it just right for them.

"What do you do if you see a swarm of bees? Call a beekeeper - take a note of them now - you never know when you will need them. They will contact a local beekeeper, who will come and collect the swarm as long as it is practicable, take them away, usually in a box or a sack, give them the prefect home in a hive, and look after them.

"Bees are valuable for all food supplies, not just the honey they produce, because of their pollination activities. Be bee conscious and bee friendly, and help Gwent Beekeeping Association preserve and protect them."

To report a swarm GBKA Beebusters on either 01873 852512 or 01495 752927. Leave a message if you can't make a direct contact. The beekeeper will return your call, take details of the location of the swarm and will let you know what happens to the bees.