Bees and Wasps
Bees
Bees play a vital part in the pollinating of our veggie patches as well as our native plants and gardens. Around 80% of the food we eat relies on pollination for growing and farming.
During the warmer weather, bees may form a colony outside of the hive. This is called swarming. It means that the bees are trying to get cool or establish a colony.
For some people, the size of a swarm can be concerning. Generally during this state, the bee colony is not aggressive as they are trying to protect the queen.
On Private Property
Council does not provide a service to relocate bees from private property. Since it is a specialised task, we do not recommend attempting to remove a bee colony yourself. Please contact us and we can provide details of local beekeepers.
However, if bees are in hollow trees or logs, they cannot be removed by a beekeeper. This means that they may require to be sprayed to remove them. This is a last alternative, as we do not like to harm bees as they are vital to our food production.
On Council Property
To report a bee hive/swarm, call our Customer Contact Team on 8582 1922. You can report swarms if they are causing a nuisance, public health or safety risk.
Remember, bees are important for our environment and food production. Where possible, swarm relocation (not destruction) is the best choice for all of us.
For more information on bees, please head to Biosecurity SA
European Wasps
European Wasp Nest Destruction
If you have located a European wasp nest, contact Council to arrange for the nest to be removed. Councils contractors remove nests from council land and private property.
Please refer to the European Wasp brochure for more information.