Bee Swarm Removal:
What To Do and How

Updated: 11th February 2021

Bee swarm removal is not something for the unequipped to try themselves, but that does not mean you have to call in a pest control company.  It’s possible to have bees removed humanely and sometimes even free of charge - some beekeepers do not charge for this service.

So, before calling in some-one to remove and destroy the swarm, please read the following free information and advice - you may save the bees, remove them, and save your money too!

A bee swarm is a fascinating spectacle, however, the sight of one may unnerve some people. 

A dense cloud of bees whirling into the air - even on a warm sunny day, can cause panic. 

Nevertheless, the first point to note is that a bee swarm is not looking to attack you. The bees are merely seeking a new place to make a home.  In doing so, a honey bee swarm may rest in a hanging clump or mass, whilst scout bees go off to find a suitable place to make a permanent nest.

Although the bees are not looking to sting you, they can become aggressive if they feel under threat.  Keep your distance and you should not be bothered by the bees.

If the swarm is not in an inconvenient place and you are able to ‘sit it out’ then do so.  Sometimes, you don't need to do anything. Simply leave the bees alone, and give them a wide berth.  Your main job then is to relax and keep calm - if you can, enjoy the opportunity to observe nature at work - you can learn more about swarming bees on this link.

In any event, whatever you decide to do, it's best to keep children and pets away.  After a while, the swarm may move on by itself - usually within a  day or two.

However, if the bees are definitely in an inconvenient place and are causing concern, or if you need impartial advice, it is best to act sooner rather than later.  Please  take note of the guidance below.

Bee Swarm Removal: What to do, and what not to do

• Firstly, do NOT spray a pesticide or any other chemicals. This could provoke the bees, and is completely unnecessary. Also, given the difficulties faced by all bees including honey bees, let's take care to preserve them, and if possible, see if they can be relocated rather than destroyed.
  
  
• Do not throw sticks, rocks or other items at the swarm in an attempt to drive it away!  You'll only aggravate the bees!
  
  
• Do not attempt any other methods of 'bee control'. 
  
  
• Locate a local beekeeping group or association and contact them. 
  
  These people can sometimes be found via a beekeeping association, and/or may even have Facebook pages. Enquire whether any members of the beekeeping group would like to remove a swarm.  If not, ask about suitable forums where you could enquire further, or whether they know of anyone who can help, whilst saving the bees at the same time.
  
  Resource here: Ethical Honey Bee Removal.
  
  Also see:
  
  List of beekeeping associations in North America. 
  
  Beekeeping associations in other countries and regions can be found on the internet via the search engines.
  
  For more complex scenarios, that require specialist assistance (especially if you are concerned the bees have taken up, or are about to take up permanent residence in a wall or chimney), see the contacts listed on my pages:
  
  bees in the wall
  
  bees in the chimney.
  
  
  
• It's worth knowing that beekeepers may charge for swarm removal, others will do it free of charge, but you should confirm in advance. 
  
  The beekeeper may take the swarm and start up a new colony in a vacant hive, and will possibly benefit from the bees.  However, they will incur time and possibly some costs.
  
  Try to find some-one as near to your location as possible.  Please be respectful since you would have to pay a pest controller anyway!  
  
  
• If you are still having difficulty locating a beekeeper to help you, then contact a national beekeepers association (rather than local), who should hopefully have more contacts.  Ask if they could put a note on their forum/facebook page.
  
  
• If you cannot find a local beekeeping group, it's worth asking around and using Google, since not all beekeepers are members of associations.  If you are having difficulty finding a group, it may even be useful to speak with a local farmer.  Some farmers have contacts with beekeepers who offer their hives for pollination services, and so they may have contacts with beekeepers who are keen to increase their hives.  Please note, however, that some farmers call in pollination services located many miles away from their farm.
  
  
• A last measure to find a beekeeper is to seek out a supplier of local honey, or beekeeping supplies near you, as they are bound to have some contacts.
  

It is a good idea to exhaust your possibilities of enlisting the help of a beekeeper

Why?

Because they will remove the bees safely, humanely, and sometimes free of charge.  On the other hand, they may have different advice.

However, do not expect the first beekeeper you make contact with to come to your rescue.  Beekeepers have lives too, and they cannot necessarily drop everything to visit immediately.

On the other hand, the beekeeper may not have a spare hive available, or for his/her own reasons, they may not wish to introduce another colony.

Note:
If a beekeeper agrees to help you, but the swarm moves on before they arrive, do let them know as soon as possible, hopefully to prevent them from journeying over to assist you. 

What if you have exhausted the possibility of finding a beekeeper?

An alternative route is to phone your local authority and enquire about bee swarm removal.  If you are in the USA, there are some regulations in certain counties regarding Africanized honey bees.   Always ask about their fees and procedures, and how long it will take for assistance to arrive. 

Many local authorities will charge for the removal of swarms  (even if they usually offer other pest control services for free), and in the event that the bees should leave of their own accord just before a person arrives to remove them, they may charge you a call out fee.  Find out, and keep people informed.

Also, check what methods they use, and whether the bees would be harmed, and whether they use pesticides.  If it's a swarm, there shouldn't be any reason for the local authority to use pesticides. 

Just a thought….Have you ever considered becoming a beekeeper?   Do you frequently see swarms of bees?   If so, take a look at the resources on this site. 

Final thoughts

If the swarm is temporary, then for the very short time it is around, you will have a unique opportunity to observe this amazing act of nature, and you may not have this privilege again!

If the bees are not causing any real problem, the most important action to take if you can, is to relax and not worry. It may also turn out to be the cheapest.

More information:

Swarming Bees
Learn more about this fascinating phenomenon.

Need Advice About Other Bee Species? 
Help and information regarding other species of bees, including bumble bees and carpenter bees.

Bees Nest Q&A
Useful information covering commonly asked questions about bee nests of different bee species.

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