THE Isle of Wight Beekeeping Association (IWBKA) is adjusting to life during the coronavirus pandemic.

The group is issuing advice on working practices to its members, bearing in mind some tasks require more than one pair of hands.

Spring is a particularly busy period under normal circumstances and this year is no different.

As the weather warms up, the bees are becoming more active and beekeepers have to tend their hives, which means travelling to and from their apiaries on a regular basis.

Work done now and over the coming weeks will have the effect of reducing or even eliminating the need for a colony to swarm. Of course, wild colonies will still swarm as a natural part of their life cycle.

A spokesperson for IWBKA said: "A swarm arriving on your property can only add to the general stress we are all currently feeling.

"The IWBKA has a group of members prepared to collect swarms. In a normal year, they answer many calls including swarms that have taken up residence in roofs.

"This year, for safety reasons, these volunteers will only be able to collect swarms from places where their personal safety is not at risk.

"Even in a normal year, colonies in chimneys and walls are a specialist job beyond the scope of members, so a prompt call before a swarm takes up permanent residence is advisable."

If you have a swarm of honeybees, please call the swarm co-ordinator, Dave Cassell, on 07919 244 080.

Please note, bumblebees and other bee species — which are usually harmless — and wasps are not within the IWBKA’s remit.