On this page Content components BeesBees produce honey and beeswax and are important pollinators of horticultural and seed crops. Bees are slightly smaller than wasps.They are less aggressive and usually only sting in self-defence.Bee swarmingSwarming usually occurs in spring or early summer which enables the new colony to grow large enough to store sufficient honey over summer and autumn to support the colony through winter.Bees travel in swarms and often stay in an area only 1 or 2 days before moving on.If the swarm has settled on a tree or an easy-to-access structure, we encourage you to contact an apiarist. A swarm can be collected when it has settled.European waspsEuropean wasps are around 20 mm in length. They have a bright yellow body with black triangle-shaped markings.Their nests look like grey cardboard and are about the size of a football.They can build nests:undergroundin treesin the walls of houses.Wasps can be aggressive when attacked and sting repeatedly. Their nests can have several thousand wasps.Report a beehive or wasp nest on Council landYou can report beehives or wasps if they are on Council land, such as:parksgardenssportsgroundsnature strips.We will organise someone to remove them.Use our online form:Report bees or wasps onlineAfter you report bees or wasps, we will:email you to confirm we have received your submissioncontact you for more information, if required.If you see a beehive or wasp nest on a power pole, contact Ausnet Services on 13 17 99 or report it to the faults line of the telecommunications company who own the power pole.Wasps and beehives on private propertyYou are responsible for beehives or wasp nests on your property.If a neighbouring property has a beehive or wasp nest you should talk to the property owner.For advice on approaching your neighbour, visit Dispute Settlement Centre of VictoriaRemove wasps or a wasp nestContact a licensed pest controller.Remove a beehive or bee swarmContact Swarm Patrol. They will attempt to match the swarm to a local beekeeper for collection. Some beekeepers will do this for free. The sooner you report a swarm the better, before it enters into walls or other cavities, becoming difficult to remove and potentially costing you more money.You can also contact Victorian Apiarists' Association or The Beekeepers Club Inc.Note: Always confirm if fees apply for private property removal.Beekeeping regulationsIf your neighbour is beekeeping there are strict guidelines they must follow. For more information, visit Agriculture Victoria.If you are unable to resolve the issue, you can use our online form above to report bees or wasps. This includes if your neighbour:doesn't organise to remove the wasp nest or beehiveis not keeping the bees according to regulations.
