I was tagged in a Facebook post where someone was asking for help with what they described as a “bee swarm coming from the drain”, although it might be better described as bees living below a manhole cover. It was a mild Sunday in February, so I donned my winter coat, grabbed my camera and rucksack, and headed to Grove, Oxfordshire.
Approaching the pedestrian crossing at the junction with Main Street, I didn’t spot any bees at first. The lights changed, the green man appeared, and as I crossed the road; a flurry of activity became obvious.
Bees were landing on the pavement and on the manhole cover itself, many with bright yellow or orange pollen sacs on their legs. They were entering and exiting through a small hole in the metalwork of the cover.
While the Facebook post called it a “swarm”, true honeybee swarms don’t occur in February in England. In reality, the bees were living below a manhole cover on a permanent basis. It was their frenetic activity around the entrance of their underground home gave the impression, at least to non-beekeepers, that the bees were swarming.
Identifying the Bees
A close look confirmed these were honeybees (Apis mellifera). The large numbers, their appearance, and purposeful behaviour all pointed to a established colony rather than a temporary swarm. I had always assumed only bumblebees, solitary bees, or mining bees nested underground with small colonies—yet here was clear evidence of honeybees thriving in an underground cavity.
The bees seemed quite calm and friendly; one even landed briefly on my coat to investigate. I took plenty of photos and video footage over a couple of days and shared updates on Facebook. It turned out this colony had been living there for at least two years.
Why Are Bees Living Below A Manhole Cover?
The spot was cleverly chosen: sheltered by a nearby hedge, the manhole cover protected the nest from heavy rain and flooding—common risks for underground honeybee nests. In mild winter weather, the bees were actively foraging, bringing back pollen on warm days. While rare, honeybees are adaptable and will occupy dry, protected cavities like this when suitable tree hollows or other natural sites are scarce.
What Should You Do If You Spot Something Similar?
This colony appears content and poses no threat to passers-by, so the best approach is to leave them well alone. Honeybees are vital pollinators, and disturbing an established nest can cause unnecessary stress or harm. If it’s in a high-traffic or risky spot (e.g., near a school or business entrance), contact a local beekeeper via the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) for advice—they often relocate colonies safely.
Have you ever spotted bees emerging from an unusual place like a drain, pavement, or manhole cover? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear about other urban bee adventures!