A swarm of honey bees were safely relocated from a property in Abbeylands, Onchan, to a new home in the countryside.

Staff from pest and vermin control company Rentokil were called out to the property to inspect a large swarm of insects that were coming out of a drain from the side of a house.

Once identified as honey bees, which are a protected species in the island, the company contacted local beekeeper Robert Wright.

Mr Wright encouraged the bees that were swarming around the queen into a temporary hive box. From there he placed the hive into his car boot to transport them to their new country home.

A statement from Rentokil reads: ’Our client asked us to identify a swarm of insects on the public path outside his property, having been unsure whether they were wasps or bees.

’The swarm was approximately 60cm in diameter, with more of the insects coming out of a nearby drain.

’Honey bees are protected in the British Isles, and Rentokil does not consider them pests.’

Manx bees are not affected by the varroa mite or a number of diseases that devastate honey bee populations around the world.

The mite can transmit pathogens and weakens bees by feeding on them.

This stunts the bees’ ability to fly and retain weight and it can lead to bees being crippled, as well as the death of a hive.

Due to this threat, the Isle of Man has a strict ban on the importation of honey bees and used equipment linked to beekeeping.

To protect and maintain the island’s healthy bee population, members of the public are encouraged to contact a beekeeper or the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture if a swarm occurs to help safely relocate them.

Honey bees swarm from mid April until the end of July as it is their natural way of increasing numbers.

To contact Mr Wright phone 301362.