Bees pollinate roughly one-third of the world’s food crops, making their role in the global ecosystem highly significant. Because of their environmental and economic value, the goal when bees establish a colony in an inconvenient location is always humane, non-lethal removal. Lethal methods are detrimental to local ecosystems and often fail to solve the underlying problem, as residual hive materials can attract new swarms. This guide provides homeowners with the knowledge and steps necessary to safely and successfully relocate bees without causing them harm.
Identifying the Bee Situation and Ensuring Safety
The first step in any bee encounter is determining whether the congregation is a temporary swarm or an established colony. A swarm is a tightly packed, visible ball of bees, often hanging from a tree branch, fence post, or bush. These bees are usually docile because they have engorged themselves with honey from their old hive and have no resources or young to defend while they search for a new home. Swarms are part of the natural reproductive cycle of a hive and are often only resting in that spot for a few hours to a few days.
An established colony, or hive, shows continuous, focused activity around a single entry point, such as a crack in a wall, a chimney, or a soffit. These bees have already begun building wax comb, storing honey, and raising brood (young), which makes them more defensive of their new home. If the bees have been in place for more than a few days, they are likely an established colony, and removal will be more complex. It is important to maintain distance from both situations and never attempt to seal the entry point, as this will force the bees to find another way out, potentially into the interior of a structure.
Immediate Action for Swarms
If the bees are clustered together in a visible ball, they are considered a swarm and pose minimal threat, provided they are not provoked. Swarms are generally easy for a professional to collect and relocate to a proper hive box. The most effective and safest action is to immediately contact a local beekeeping association or a professional beekeeper. Many local beekeepers will collect swarms for free or a small fee because they represent a new, healthy colony for their apiary.
The scout bees of the swarm will eventually find a suitable cavity, and the entire cluster will move on to establish a permanent hive. The non-aggressive nature of the swarm is due to their focus on finding a new home rather than defending a nest. While some people suggest spraying a swarm with sugar water, this is unnecessary and potentially disruptive if a beekeeper is already on the way. The goal is to wait patiently and allow a trained professional to perform a gentle and quick relocation.
Non-Lethal Exclusion Methods for Established Hives
For established colonies nesting within a structure, a homeowner may attempt a method called a “trap-out” using a one-way exclusion device. This technique is designed to slowly force the resident worker bees to leave the nest while preventing their return, effectively compelling the colony to relocate. The most common tool used is a cone or funnel, often made from wire mesh, which is secured over the hive’s main entrance. This cone must be positioned with a small opening at the tip, allowing outward passage but making re-entry difficult for the bees.
Before installing the cone, all other potential entry and exit points near the hive must be sealed to ensure the bees only use the funnel. The worker bees, upon returning from foraging, will be unable to find their way back through the narrow cone tip. Instead, they will be drawn to a secondary hive box placed directly next to the cone’s exit, which usually contains a frame of worker brood and the queen. This process can take several weeks, as the emerging bees from the original nest must also exit through the cone and join the new box, slowly depopulating the established hive.
Professional Relocation and Prevention
While exclusion methods offer a do-it-yourself option, professional live bee removal is the most reliable, non-lethal solution for established colonies, especially when located inside a wall void. Live bee removal specialists or beekeepers are trained to cut into a structure and physically remove the entire colony, including the queen, the bees, and all internal materials. This method ensures the highest survival rate for the colony and is the only way to fully address the problem of residual hive materials. It is important to confirm that the professional is a live removal specialist, as traditional pest control operators often use lethal methods.
The complete removal of the wax comb and honey is necessary for long-term prevention, even after the bees are gone. Honeycomb is saturated with pheromones that act as a signal to attract future swarms to the same location. Furthermore, left-behind honey and wax can melt, causing structural damage, attracting pests like ants and rodents, and fostering mold growth. Once the hive materials are removed, the cavity must be thoroughly cleaned and then permanently sealed with caulk or screen mesh to eliminate the possibility of future re-infestation. Prevention also involves proactive steps, such as regularly inspecting and repairing exterior structural damage, including loose fascia boards, unsealed utility openings, and cracks in siding.