Pest controllers have been busy after they were called to deal with a swarm of suspected wasps.

Ashford Pest Control expert Craig Vass said he received a call after the swarm had created a buzz around Barming.

He said it is not unusual to receive call outs about wasps nests, but immediately suspected that the swarm was bees, rather than wasps, as it is unusual for that many wasps to have gathered so early in the year.

Mr Vass said: “A lot of people do mistake bees for wasps. But it’s way too early in the season for it to be a wasp’s nest of that size.

“It turned out that it was a bees nest, and I’ve seen quite a few over many years, I’ve even had one come and sit in my family garden.

Video: Ashford Pest Control called to bees swarm

“They are not dangerous, they are solitary. So if you don’t harm them then they won’t feel threatened in any way.

“If you cause havoc for them in a way which disturbs them, they can be hostile. You should leave them alone and be calm. I was quite close to them in a special suit for it, and they were not bothered by me at all.”

He said that the bees can often appear to shimmer their wings, as they attempt to cool down the queen bee at the centre.

Mr Vass added that if you find a swarm of bees, the best thing to do is to leave them be as they normally move on within 24 hours.

If they are in an awkward area, you can call the Bee-keepers' Association, which has registered members across Kent.