When the honey bees are swarming they are not aggressive, they are simply trying to find their queen and eventually a new home. The queen has left a nearby hive and is looking to build a new home. The queen will take 10,000 to 20,000 of her worker bees with her to establish this new home. The queen will eventually land somewhere and the workers will gather around her forming the ball you may see. This is when we need to arrive on site. They may remain there for only a few hours, maybe as much as a day or more while scout bees look for a permanent homesite. We need to collect them while they are in this ball state. We don’t want them to set up a permanent home in your chimney, walls, or anywhere they will become a nuisance and end up costing you the homeowner thousands of dollars in demo and repair. Swarms collected outside of structures are collected free of charge.

We are skilled beekeepers that are working under a code of ethics to ensure the job is done safely and that the bees will go to a good home. Most swarms that are hanging out in the open are collected at no charge. However, swarms that have moved into a structure may require a fee (we call these cut outs). We will also work with building contractors to safely collect bees once they are uncovered so they can safely repair any damage that may have been necessary to gain access. Prices depend on many variables. Check with the individual beekeeper for quotes and advice on this type of removal.

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But how do you know if you have bees, or something else? Most insects we call "bees" are actually wasps, and many people have a hard time telling the difference. Before you call, make sure you know what you're dealing with. Some beekeepers on the list will also remove wasps, but you need to know who to call!