The discovery of a flying insect nest in a tree can be an alarming event for any homeowner. Before taking any action, it is important to prioritize safety and accurately identify the insects involved. The strategy for safe and responsible removal depends entirely on whether the occupants are honeybees, wasps, or hornets.
Distinguishing the Pest: Bees, Wasps, or Hornets
Determining the species is the most important step, as this dictates whether removal should focus on conservation or extermination. Honeybees have a robust, somewhat fuzzy body, often appearing brownish-gold with dark banding. Their nests, typically found deep inside hollow tree cavities, are characterized by the waxy, hexagonal honeycomb structure used to store honey and rear their young. Honeybees are generally docile and sting only when they perceive a direct threat to their colony.
Wasps, including yellow jackets, and hornets have a distinctly different appearance and behavior. These insects possess smooth, slender bodies with a narrow waist and a bright yellow and black or reddish-brown coloration. Their nests are often made from a papery, gray pulp constructed from chewed wood fibers. These nests may hang exposed or be concealed in a cavity, but they lack the organized wax comb structure of a honeybee hive. Wasps and hornets are significantly more aggressive than honeybees and can sting repeatedly, especially when defending their nest.
Selecting the Appropriate Removal Strategy
Once the insect is correctly identified, the path for removal separates into two main strategies: relocation or extermination. If the nest is confirmed to be a honeybee colony, the primary goal should be live removal to support these environmentally valuable pollinators. This involves contacting a local beekeeper who can safely extract the queen, brood, and honeycomb, relocating the entire colony to an apiary. This method is humane and helps maintain local bee populations.
If the nest belongs to wasps or hornets, which are not protected and pose a greater public health risk due to their aggressive nature, extermination is the standard approach. For these nests, safety protocols are paramount, especially when the nest is located high in a tree. Any attempt at do-it-yourself removal should only be considered for very small, accessible nests, and only with appropriate protective gear.
It is always safest to attempt to address a nest at dusk or dawn, as this is when the adult insects are less active and more likely to be inside the nest. Disturbing a large or active nest during the day can provoke a mass defensive reaction, leading to numerous stings. Because tree nests are difficult to reach and the insects are highly defensive, homeowners should avoid applying pesticides themselves, especially when the nest is large or deep within a tree cavity. The safest decision is to call a professional who has the necessary equipment and experience to neutralize the threat.
When to Call Experts and Who to Hire
In nearly all situations involving a nest in a tree, particularly if the nest is larger than a softball, located above ten feet, or near high-traffic areas, professional help is mandatory. The risk of falling from a ladder while being stung, or failing to completely eliminate the colony, makes expert intervention a necessity for safety and effectiveness.
The type of professional needed depends on the insect identified. For honeybees, the first call should be to a local beekeeping association or a certified live bee removal specialist. These experts are trained to perform a “cut-out” from a tree cavity, which may require carefully opening the tree to remove the comb and the queen without harming the colony. While simple swarms hanging on a branch may be removed for free, complex extractions from a tree cavity will involve labor costs due to the time and specialized equipment required.
For wasps and hornets, or if the honeybee colony is aggressive or inaccessible for live removal, a licensed Pest Control Operator (PCO) should be contacted. PCOs use specialized chemical treatments to quickly and completely eliminate the colony. When dealing with a nest inside a tree, complete removal of the hive material, whether wax comb or papery pulp, is necessary. Consumers should inquire about the company’s methods, especially whether they offer humane relocation for bees, and request a quote that accounts for the complexity of a tree-based removal.