Moving bees without causing them harm is a responsible approach that supports both human safety and the wider ecosystem. Bees, particularly honey bees, are pollinators for a significant portion of global food crops, making their preservation ecologically important. Non-lethal management aims to safely encourage these insects to relocate from an undesirable area, such as a home, to a more suitable natural habitat. Achieving this requires correct species identification, immediate deterrence, and professional relocation.
Identifying the Pest for Humane Removal
The first step in any non-lethal strategy is correctly identifying the species, as removal methods differ significantly between true bees and other stinging insects. Bees are generally rounder and possess a fuzzy, haired body, which helps them collect pollen. Wasps, conversely, have a slender, shiny body with a narrow waist. Honey bees build perennial hives of waxy honeycomb in sheltered cavities, such as tree hollows or wall voids. Bumblebees are large and densely haired, typically forming smaller, annual colonies in ground holes or thick insulation.
Carpenter bees mimic bumblebees but have a smooth, glossy black abdomen, and they bore round holes into soft wood to create nests. Correct identification is important because only honey bee colonies and swarms are typically relocated by beekeepers, while other species respond better to deterrence or exclusion techniques.
Immediate Non-Lethal Deterrence Methods
For temporary swarms or to encourage a small colony to move, immediate, non-toxic methods can be employed. Beekeepers often use smoke to calm honey bees, as it triggers a survival response where the bees gorge on honey in preparation for evacuation. A less intense application involves a fine mist of water, sometimes mixed with peppermint oil, which disorients the bees by dampening their wings and masking alarm pheromones.
Scent-based repellents can also discourage bees from frequenting a specific outdoor area. Bees are highly sensitive to strong odors, and natural scents like peppermint, cinnamon, and citronella act as mild deterrents. Applying a diluted solution of these essential oils to areas where bees are aggregating can encourage them to move elsewhere. These methods are best suited for temporary situations and are not effective for removing an established hive.
Professional Bee Relocation Services
If an established hive or persistent swarm is present, especially one involving honey bees, professional relocation is the safest and most effective humane solution. The distinction between a standard pest control service and a live bee removal specialist is important, as the former typically uses lethal methods. Local beekeeping associations, agricultural extension offices, or specialized humane removal companies are the preferred contacts for safe relocation.
For a honey bee swarm—a temporary cluster of bees resting while scouting a new home—a local beekeeper may collect and relocate the insects for free or a nominal fee. An established hive, particularly one inside a wall void or chimney, requires a costly and complex process known as a “cut-out” or “trap-out.”
This structural removal is necessary because leaving the honeycomb behind can lead to residual honey melting and seeping into the building materials, causing rot, mold, and attracting other pests. Specialized technicians utilize thermal imaging to precisely locate the hive within the wall. They will carefully open the structure to extract the bees, brood, and all honeycomb for transport to a managed apiary.
Long-Term Exclusion and Property Maintenance
Once bees have been successfully relocated, property owners must take preventative steps to ensure the area does not become re-infested. Physical exclusion is the primary method of long-term prevention, focusing on sealing all potential entry points into the structure. This involves applying caulk or wood putty to cracks, crevices, and small holes in siding, eaves, and around utility lines, ensuring openings are no larger than one-eighth of an inch.
After a structural removal, it is necessary to clean the former hive cavity thoroughly and apply a sealant or enzyme spray to neutralize lingering bee pheromones. These chemical markers attract subsequent swarms to the exact same location, making pheromone neutralization necessary for permanent exclusion. Eliminating attractants is also important, including promptly cleaning up sugary drinks, pet food left outdoors, and fixing leaky faucets that create standing water sources.