A great list of “to-do” items below. Honey bee swarms are a natural occurrance. Once you learn a few things from this site and a beekeeper, you will be at ease over this whole thing! It’s all going to be ok!
- Do not spray them with insecticide! (Wasp/insect spray)
- Do not spray them with the water hose.
- Remain calm, they are not aggressive. These are the baby house cats of the “bee world”. Think tigers, lions, pumas, cheetahs and bobcats. You are dealing with baby house cats here… Kittens.
- Click the “Beekeeper Locator Map” above and find a beekeeper in your area to come remove them. They will provide a new home for the bees.
- If it is a honey bee swarm, “most” beekeepers charge nothing to remove them. Some do, if they have to travel a long distance, or it requires bees being removed from inside a wall, etc. It’s really up to the particular beekeeper and the difficulty. But, simple bee swarm removals are “usually” free.
- Most beekeepers enjoy sharing knowledge about honey bees and will be more than glad to answer any question. This is their hobby!
- Be kind to the beekeeper, as once he has the honey bee swarm boxed, he needs to leave quickly to get them off to their new home, without keeping them in a closed off box. They will overheat quickly! And, so will the beekeeper sometimes. Maybe offer the beekeeper a cold drink.
- Send the contacted local beekeeper a picture or two of the swarm. He will need some info. These will be the first things a local beekeeper will ask you. Is it near electric lines? How high up is it? How long has it been there. Size of swarm? Basketball sized, softball sized or huge?
- Remember, for most beekeepers, this is their hobby and not there full time job. Just because you call them at noon on a Monday, they may be at there “real” job. Leave them a message, text them your info, or call around.