Honey bees are vital to both plant and human life. But that doesn't mean you have to put up with a swarm of bees buzzing around your yard all day long. It can be dangerous if not taken care of. If a colony of honey bees has found a permanent place around your house and is causing an inconvenience, then you might want to get them removed.

And since not everyone is a professional beekeeper, your best bet is to contact a honey bee removal service. Wondering how to find them and how much it will cost? Read on to know.

Beekeeping associations
If you're looking to remove a honey bee swarm or nest, contact a beekeeping association instead of pest control. Beekeepers usually get the job done without harming the bees. Thanks to the Internet, finding a reliable beekeeping association all over the country is easier than ever. To locate a honey bee removal service near your area, visit the American Beekeeping Federation's (ABF) official website. The national organization works with all small and large beekeepers across the country to ensure the future of honey bees. You can get an extensive list of beekeeping associations in and around your neighborhood from their website.

Additionally, you can locate a honey bee removal service from websites like Angi (previously Angie's List), Buzz About Bees, 911 Honey Bee Removal, and others.

How much does it cost to remove honey bees?
Another great thing about beekeeping services is that some offer services free of charge, especially if you're not planning to exterminate the bees. That allows a beekeeper to take the swarm, find a new home for them, and eventually benefit from the bees. That said, some beekeepers do take money to remove bee swarms or nests. However, they may offer a significant discount if you opt for beehive relocation instead of extermination.

Another factor that plays a crucial role in determining the removal cost is the type of bee. The cost of getting rid of a honey bee hive is different from those of carpenter bees, bumblebees, Africanized bees, and bee swarms. Honey bee colonies are common in residential areas. Some colonies can have up to 50,000 bees, and the cost of removing them can range between $75 to $2000. Bee swarms without a nest or a hive are easy to control, so removing them is usually cheaper. Most beekeepers may charge around $150 to take a bee swarm out of your property. It's advisable to confirm the cost of removal in advance.

Things to keep in mind
It's important to know that honey bees do not want to attack anyone. However, they can become aggressive and sting someone if they feel threatened. The best way to avoid getting stung is to keep away and not bother them. Also, unless you're an experienced beekeeper, it's not advisable to try removing the bees. If you haven't made up your mind on calling a professional beekeeper yet, keep the following things in mind:

  • If the swarm is not in an inconvenient place and is not bothering you, let it be.
  • Do not spray pesticides or any other chemicals on the bees, as it may provoke them. Besides, relocating them is better for the environment than destroying them.
  • Throwing stones or sticks at the swarm to drive them away is not recommended; it will only aggravate the bees.
  • Do not employ any self-thought method of bee removal.
  • Keep your children and pets away from the bee swarm.