Residents around the Bay of Plenty have reported bee swarms around various parts of the region.

Apiculture New Zealand says swarming season across New Zealand can begin as early as August and run through until January.

Swarms are the act of colony reproduction. While the process is entirely natural, it does not necessarily occur every year.

Honey bees are the only type of bees that swarm.

Swarming is a process that occurs when a new honey bee colony is formed. The queen bee will leave the colony along with about 60 per cent of the worker bees.

The swarm can contain thousands to tens of thousands of bees. When bees swarm the air is full with thousands of excited bees searching for a place to cluster and trying to keep track of the queen.

After a short distance of flying, the swarm will cluster together in a suitable place while scout bees look for a new nest cavity.

According to a statement on the Mossops Honey website, if you have a swarm on your property, do not panic and do not try to remove the swarm yourself.

'Bees only sting for self-defence and will only do so when threatened,” reads the statement.

'Swarms cluster temporarily until they can find a suitable new home. This can take a couple of hours or a couple of days.

"If the bees are not bothering you, leave them and they will normally remove themselves once a new home has been found.”

'However if you or a family member, including pets, are allergic or could be allergic to bees, try to remain indoors until the swarm has left or has been collected.”

If you do have a swarm come into your backyard, check out Apiculture New Zealand's website for a list of swarm collectors in the Bay of Plenty region here.