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How to Remove Honeybee Swarms

Removal of a bee swarm depends on the location of the hive. If the hive is in a nearby tree or on the outside of your home, the safest and most humane way to remove the swarm is by contacting a local beekeeper. Many beekeepers will remove the swarm for free because they will eventually profit from capturing and keeping the new queen and bees to make honey.

Things You'll Need

Ladder
Gardening gloves
Thick trash bag
Dish soap
Hot water
Sponge
Small bucket

Instructions

- 1
  Avoid spraying the honey bee swarm with any type of chemicals before calling the beekeeper. A beekeeper will not remove a honeybee colony if it has been contaminated.
- 2
  Call a beekeeper in your area. Ask if they charge for bee removal. Also ask for their references to determine their experience. Beekeepers generally are less expensive than pest control technicians.
- 3
  
  Gardening gloves protect your hands when removing dead bees.
  
  Remove any dead bees from the hive area. Put on gardening gloves to avoid any possible pricks from stingers when picking up the dead bees. During removal of the bees some could be killed accidentally and will attract live bees due to the pheromones produced.
- 4
  
  Place the empty hive in a bag in your outgoing trash can.
  
  Use a ladder if you cannot reach the hive and keep on your gardening gloves. Remove the hive from the tree or the outside of your home and place in a garbage bag. Seal the bag tightly and place it in your outgoing trash bin for pickup.
- 5
  
  Hot soapy water helps clean up honey.
  
  Wash the area where the hive was located with soap and hot water. Place approximately one teaspoon of soap in a half gallon of hot water. This will remove any honey residue that can attract live bees or other honey-consuming insects, such as wax beetles, ants and flies.

Insects & Science