Originally published January 12, 2009. Updated to provide additional information about live bee removal and relocation.
We specialize in LIVE bee removal using safe, organic methods. We do bee removal in all of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
In L.A. County we cover Pasadena, San Gabriel Valley, Glendale, Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Malibu, Ventura County, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley.
We do LIVE bee removal by saving the bee hive and the queen so the bees — which are beneficial insects not pests — can pollinate plants and crops.
We’re a honey of a family-owned bee company in business for nearly 50 years.
Bee Specialist specializes in live bee removal throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, using methods designed to preserve viable honey bee colonies whenever conditions allow.
Rather than treating honey bees like ordinary household pests, our approach focuses on removing and relocating the bees, including the queen when possible, so the colony can continue its important role as a pollinator.
Bee Specialist is a family-owned Southern California bee removal company with decades of experience working with honey bees, swarms, established hives, and colonies living inside structures.
What Is Live Bee Removal?
Live bee removal involves removing honey bees from an unwanted or unsafe location while attempting to preserve the colony rather than simply exterminating the bees.
The appropriate removal method depends on the situation.
A recently arrived swarm hanging from a tree branch, fence, shrub, or other exposed surface is very different from an established colony that has built honeycomb inside a wall, attic, roof, chimney, or other structural cavity.
When conditions allow, Bee Specialist works to preserve viable colonies and relocate the bees to a more appropriate environment.
Live Bee Removal vs. Bee Extermination
Honey bees are beneficial pollinators, so extermination is not always the best solution when a colony can be safely removed.
Live bee removal focuses on preserving the colony whenever practical. For an established hive, however, resolving the problem may involve more than collecting the visible bees.
An established honey bee colony can contain:
- A queen and worker bees
- Brood
- Beeswax and honeycomb
- Stored honey
- Pollen
When a colony is located inside a building, accessible hive material may also need to be removed.
Simply eliminating the visible bees does not necessarily address everything that remains inside the structure.
Removing Established Bee Hives From Structures
Honey bees frequently establish colonies inside protected structural cavities.
Common locations include:
- Walls
- Attics
- Rooflines and eaves
- Chimneys
- Soffits and fascia
- Sheds and other structures
One common sign of an established colony is consistent bee traffic entering and leaving the same opening.
The opening itself may be small, while the colony and honeycomb can be located farther inside the structure.
For this reason, homeowners should avoid automatically sealing an active bee entrance without first determining whether a colony remains inside.
Professional inspection can help determine where the bees are located and what type of removal may be required.
Why Honeycomb Removal Can Matter
For an established structural colony, removing the bees may be only one part of the job.
Honeycomb left inside a wall, roof, attic, or other cavity can contain wax, honey, brood, and other hive material. Depending on the circumstances, remaining material can contribute to problems such as leaking honey or attracting insects and other pests.
Existing hive odors and an accessible entrance may also make the location attractive to future bee colonies.
When structural access is required, removing accessible honeycomb and hive material can therefore be an important part of a complete bee removal.
Bee Swarm Removal
Not every group of bees represents an established hive.
A bee swarm is a group of honey bees traveling with a queen while searching for a new place to establish a colony. Swarms often temporarily gather on trees, fences, shrubs, buildings, and other exposed surfaces.
At this stage, the bees may not yet have built an established hive at that location.
Calling for swarm removal before the bees move into a wall, attic, chimney, roof, or other protected cavity can prevent a relatively accessible swarm from becoming a more complicated structural bee removal.
If you discover a swarm, avoid disturbing or spraying it and keep children and pets away while arranging for professional assistance.
Live Bee Removal in Los Angeles County
Bee Specialist provides live bee removal and hive removal services throughout Los Angeles County.
Our service area includes communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Glendale, Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica and West Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Valencia, and surrounding areas.
Services include swarm removal, established hive removal, structural bee removal, and live bee relocation when conditions permit.
Live Bee Removal in Ventura County
Bee Specialist also provides bee removal throughout Ventura County.
Honey bee problems can range from temporary swarms on trees or structures to established colonies inside walls, roofs, attics, and other protected spaces.
The first step is determining whether the bees are temporarily resting at the property or have already established a hive.
Nearly 50 Years of Southern California Bee Removal Experience
When this article was originally published in 2009, Bee Specialist had already been providing bee services for approximately 40 years.
Today, our family-owned company brings nearly 50 years of experience to bee removal situations throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
That experience includes removing swarms as well as established colonies from difficult structural locations.
Bee behavior, colony location, structural access, and the amount of established honeycomb can all affect how a bee removal should be approached. There is no single removal method that is appropriate for every situation.
What Should You Do If You Find Bees?
Seeing a few bees around flowering plants is normal and usually does not indicate a problem.
You should consider professional evaluation when you notice:
- A large cluster or swarm of bees
- Bees repeatedly entering the same hole or structural opening
- Heavy bee activity around a roofline or eave
- Bees entering an attic, chimney, wall, or vent
- Bee activity inside a home or building
- An established hive in an unsafe location
Avoid spraying the bees or sealing an active entrance before determining whether an established colony is inside.
Frequently Asked Questions About Live Bee Removal
Can honey bees be removed without killing them?
In many situations, honey bees can be removed alive and relocated. Whether live removal is practical depends on the colony’s location, accessibility, condition, and other circumstances at the property.
What is the difference between a bee swarm and a hive?
A swarm is generally a temporary cluster of honey bees searching for a new nesting location. An established hive contains an organized colony with honeycomb and may contain brood, honey, and pollen.
Can bees be removed from inside a wall?
Yes. Established honey bee colonies can be removed from walls and other structural cavities. The exact removal process depends on the colony’s location and how the hive can be accessed.
Should I seal the hole bees are using?
Do not seal an active entrance if an established colony may still be inside the structure. Trapped bees may search for another exit, and sealing the opening does not remove the colony or honeycomb.
Does the honeycomb need to be removed?
For established structural colonies, removing accessible honeycomb and hive material can be an important part of resolving the problem. Remaining honey, wax, and comb can sometimes contribute to pest activity, leakage, or future bee activity.
Do you provide live bee removal in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties?
Yes. Bee Specialist provides bee removal services throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including swarm removal, live bee relocation, hive removal, and structural bee removal.
Need Help With Bees?
If you have discovered a bee swarm or suspect that honey bees have established a colony inside your home, business, or another structure, Bee Specialist can help determine the appropriate removal approach.
We provide professional bee removal throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with live removal and relocation used when conditions allow.
Contact Bee Specialist to request bee removal service.