Identifying bees
European honey bees and European wasps are similar in size and shape but have different colours and markings.
Bees are a dull shade of yellow or golden-brown colour through to black. They have black stripes around their body, but no black dot like the European wasp.
European wasps are bright yellow and black with bright yellow legs. They are mostly black on their front half with bright yellow markings, and mostly bright yellow on their back half. There are black stripes and black dots between the stripes down each side of the abdomen, sometimes joining the stripes. European wasps have longer, thicker antennae than bees.
Beehives are usually found in tree hollows, wall and roof cavities in houses and buildings, as well as other sheltered positions offering protection from predators and the weather.
European wasp nests are usually in the ground, but they can also be in walls, ceilings and trees. Wasp nests are easily seen due to the constant activity above the nest, although the nest entrance can be well hidden.
Reporting nuisance beehives on ACT Government land
To report a beehive on ACT Government land, complete the European Wasp, Ants or Bees Report form. You’ll then receive a notification with a reference code.
For enquiries about your submission, contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81, quoting your reference code.
Bee swarms
Bees generally swarm between August and December. They will settle in a cluster surrounding the queen bee while worker bees search for a suitable location to create their new hive. Bee swarms are usually calm once settled. Leave them alone and avoid the flight path and they will move on naturally in a few days.
For bee swarms on private property, call a swarm collector. Find your closest swarm collector on the Amateur Beekeepers Australia website.
Bee stings
If you are stung by a bee, use an ice pack to reduce the pain and swelling. However, seek medical help immediately if you:
- are stung in the mouth
- have difficulty breathing
- develop an itchy rash.
Find out more about how to treat bee stings.
Beekeeping
Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice sets out minimum standards for the management of urban beehives.
The Code aims to ensure good beekeeping practices in the ACT. Urban beekeepers are strongly encouraged to observe it. It’s also useful for amateur backyard beekeepers, as well as members of the public concerned about beekeeping practices in their neighbourhood.
The Biosecurity Regulation 2025 prohibits keeping honey bees in a unit other than frame hives.
To prevent the spread of disease, beekeepers are also prohibited from:
- exposing honey or honeycomb, other than in a frame hive, in a way that other honey bees can access it
- feeding honey to honey bees.
Register as a beekeeper
Register as a beekeeper
Canberra beekeepers, both commercial and non-commercial, must register their hives under the Biosecurity Regulation 2025. This helps the ACT Government identify and contact beekeepers in the event of an outbreak of bee-related disease.
Register online. It’s free and lasts for 3 years.
If you are registered under a corresponding biosecurity law of another jurisdiction, you may be exempt from registering. However, you must meet the requirements under s24 of the Biosecurity Regulation 2025.
If you would like to discuss an exemption, please email ACTBiosecurity@act.gov.au and provide:
- your full name and contact details
- the jurisdiction where you are registered
- your registration number under the corresponding biosecurity law.
ACT Biosecurity will then contact you.
Registered beekeepers are also asked to:
- adhere to Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
- keep records of the movement, sale or disposal of beehives
- promptly report anything unusual to either:
Notifiable biosecurity matters for bees
Notifiable biosecurity matters for bees
Some bee diseases are notifiable biosecurity matters under the Biosecurity (Notifiable and Prohibited Biosecurity Matter) Declaration 2025. This means there is a legal obligation to notify the ACT Government if you know or suspect that a hive is infected with these diseases.
The notifiable biosecurity matters for bees includes:
- American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae)
- European foulbrood (Melissococcus pluton)
- Acariasis tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi)
- Africanised honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata (hybrid))
- Asian honey bee (Apis cerana)
- Braula fly/Bee louse (Braula coeca)
- Dwarf honey bee (Apis florae)
- Giant honey bee (Apis dorsata)
- Tropilaelaps mite (Tropilaelaps clareae and Tropilaelaps mercedesae)
- Varroa mite (Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni) and Varroosis.
If you notice a suspected or confirmed notifiable biosecurity matter, contact one of the following:
