A bee colony establishing itself in a tree cavity presents a safety concern for property owners while also involving a beneficial pollinator species. When encountering a tree hive, the primary goal should be a humane live removal. Honey bees, the species most often found in this situation, are vital for agriculture and should be safely relocated rather than exterminated whenever possible. This process requires careful identification of the colony and an understanding of the necessary next steps.
Identifying the Hive and Initial Safety Steps
Accurately identifying the insect is the first step in addressing a tree hive. A temporary swarm appears as a dense cluster of bees clinging to a branch and typically departs within 24 to 48 hours. An established hive is a permanent colony located within a protected tree cavity, evidenced by a steady stream of bees entering and exiting a specific hole. True honey bees are fuzzy, with gold and brown coloring, and build wax honeycomb, unlike aggressive wasps or hornets which have sleek bodies and construct papery nests.
When an established hive is suspected, safety protocols are necessary to prevent defensive stinging. Maintain a minimum distance of 30 feet from the entrance and never disturb the area by throwing objects, spraying water, or attempting to seal the hole. Honey bees only sting to defend their home. Having an emergency plan, including access to an epinephrine auto-injector for anyone with a known severe allergy, is a necessary precaution before any action is taken.
When to Call a Professional
Removing an established honey bee colony from a tree cavity is a highly specialized task that is rarely appropriate for a do-it-yourself attempt. The sheer height and accessibility challenges presented by a tree mandate the use of professional climbing gear or lift equipment. Established colonies are large, often containing thousands of bees, and the defensive response when the hive is breached can be immediate and overwhelming.
The possibility of Africanized honey bees further necessitates professional intervention due to their heightened defensive temperament. These bees are virtually indistinguishable from European honey bees without laboratory testing but react to disturbances more quickly and in much greater numbers. Disturbing a hive without proper protective equipment and training puts the homeowner and neighbors at risk of multiple stings. The structural complexity of a tree cavity removal requires the expertise of a professional beekeeper or apiarist trained in live removal techniques that preserve the colony.
Live Removal and Relocation Methods
Professionals utilize a “cut-out” for the live removal and relocation of an established colony. This process begins by carefully opening the tree cavity, often requiring chainsaws or specialized tools to expose the entire hive structure. Simultaneously, a specialized low-suction bee vacuum is used to gently collect the majority of the adult worker bees without causing harm. This temporary containment prevents a massive defensive reaction while the core structure is accessed.
The wax honeycomb must be meticulously cut out of the tree. Sections of the comb containing the brood are then carefully secured into wooden frames, which are placed into a standard transportable beehive box. Capturing the queen is crucial, as her presence ensures the collected workers and transferred brood remain in the new hive box. Once the queen is secured and the comb transferred, the new hive box is typically left near the original entrance until dusk so that all foraging bees return and join the relocated colony.
Sealing the Cavity and Preventing Return
Post-removal cleanup is necessary to prevent a future swarm from re-inhabiting the vacant tree cavity. All remnants of the comb, including the wax, honey, and propolis, must be scraped and removed from the interior. This material harbors powerful pheromones that act as a strong attractant, signaling to any passing bee swarm that the space is an ideal nesting site.
Thorough cleaning of the wood surface with a solution such as soapy water, a mild bleach solution, or ammonia is necessary to eliminate these residual chemical signals. Failure to completely remove the comb and clean the area also leaves behind a food source that will attract secondary pests, including rodents, ants, and wax moths, leading to further decay of the tree. The final step involves sealing the original entrance hole using a durable material like steel wool covered with screen mesh or a non-expanding acrylic foam. This permanent exclusion ensures the cavity cannot be entered again while still allowing the tree to compartmentalize the wound naturally.