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Honey Bees and swarms

By law, any Honey bees living in a hive have the status of a "chattel" and any action against them can be a crime against property. The owner of such bees is required to allow their inspection by an authorised person to check for such things as Foul Brood

The status of feral colonies living in chimneys or vents is less clear in terms of protection and inspection, but do become the responsibility of the property owner. They also become a liability to nearby beekeepers since they may harbour sources of infection and parasites like Varroa, which can drift to their stocks and damage them.

Before the advent of Varroa, something like 70% of wild swarms didn't survive the winter. The percentage has climbed much higher since. If you intervene and kill a feral colony and either contaminate the honey or kill the bees, you can expect the owner to pursue you for damages. The semi-social and solitary species are not pests in any real sense and play an important role in the environment.

They are not worthy target for the pest control industry and intervening to calm the nerves of some ignorant householder may damage you and the industry's reputation far more than it profits you.

Since beekeepers are keen to reduce sources of infection within the range of their hives, normally 3 miles, they may be helpful in assisting you to deal with a problem.

Contact your local Beekeeping Association or the BBKA. If you have time, do a beekeeping course and learn how to manage and take swarms. A hive of bees in good condition is worth £100.