Bee Nest Removal – Why You Should Use a Beekeeper Instead of an Exterminator
If you notice a lot of bees on your property, the bees may have built a nest close by. Sometimes, bees will build a nest a little too close for comfort. In that case, you will have to look into bee nest removal.
What is a Bee Nest?
A bee nest is the structure in which bees build to live in, usually in a natural or artificial cavity. Bee nests are commonly built in hollowed out trees. This is opposed to a bee hive, which is a man made structure in which to raise bees.
In warmer climates, bees will sometimes build a hanging, exposed nest. But for the most part, bees tend to build their nests in a hidden area, in an attempt to keep them safe from predators. Because of that, a bee nest on your property can be difficult to find.
While bees prefer to live in orchards, gardens, and meadows, they sometimes end up in or near our homes. If you see a large amount of bees on your property, that could be a sign that there is a bee nest nearby.
Commonly, bee nests have been found in trees, concrete blocks, eaves and soffits of the roof, and the siding of the house.
Why Remove a Bee Nest?
Unless you are a beekeeper, you may not want bees on your property. Sometimes bees build their nest too close to a house, or even in the walls. The bees there may be aggressive, or you may have an allergy to bee stings. Either way, if the bee nest is not welcomed on your property, it must be removed.
Who Removes Bee Nests?
You should not attempt to remove a bee nest on your own unless you have experience. Without the proper knowledge, equipment, and protective clothing, it can be a dangerous task. To have a bee nest removed from your home, you can either call a beekeeper or an exterminator.
Beekeepers
I highly recommend that you call a beekeeper instead of an exterminator. Many beekeepers have lots of experience in removing bee nests and some may even do it for free.
That is because the beekeeper gets to keep the bees that he or she removes. Those bees will get transferred to a hive where they can continue to build their colony safely and undisturbed.
Not only that, but beekeepers actually care for bees. They would much rather relocate the bee colony than to have them killed.
Exterminators
An exterminator, on the other hand, will remove the bee nest by killing the bee colony. They do so by using chemicals that will eradicate the bees over time. It is not an immediate solution, and the exterminators will likely need to return and treat the area over time.
How are Bee Nests Removed?
Beekeepers
A beekeeper will remove a bee nest in the most humane way possible. First, he or she will apply smoke to the bees to calm them. Then, the beekeeper will use a special bee vacuum to safely suck up many of the bees and place them in a box. Last, the beekeeper will remove the comb that the bees have built.
During this process, the beekeeper will be mindful in searching for and capturing the queen. Once the queen is captured, the rest of the bees will follow her. The beekeeper will then bring the bees to their apiary and place the bees in a hive.
The area can then be sprayed down with some soapy water. This will prevent the bees from returning and a new colony from moving in.
Exterminators
Sometimes, to get to the nest, a portion of your wall may need to be removed. Exterminators then remove bee nests by using a chemical dust or spray to kill the bees. It is possible that not all bees will be killed from 1 treatment. Therefore, the exterminators would need to return to monitor and treat the area again.
Bee Nest Removal Cost
As you can see, removing a bee nest does take a special kind of skill. So, how much does bee nest removal cost?
Bee nest removal cost depends on the type of bee, the location of the nest, and the size of the nest. If you’re lucky you may even be able to find a local beekeeper that is willing to do it for free or for a small donation.
However, do not expect all beekeepers to provide this service free of charge. Even for them, there are costs involved in removing a bee nest.
A beekeeper needs equipment to house the bees after capturing them. If they do not have an extra hive in their apiary, they will need to purchase one. Then, take into account their time and gas. Bee nest removal can take hours and if the property isn’t nearby, it’ll take a lot of gas to get there.
And last, you must think about their safety. Bee nest removal is often in unsafe, hard to reach areas. Sometimes power tools must be used in order to access the nest. And lastly, even with protective clothing, it can be dangerous to work with stinging insects.
All of these things impact bee nest removal cost. Of course, cost will vary depending on your area as well. That being said, the average cost for honey bee removal by a beekeeper is difficult to pinpoint because of all of those factors.
According to fixr.com, the average honey bee nest removal cost can range from $100 for a small nest – $1000 for a large one.
How to Find Bee Removal Services Near Me
If there is a bee nest on your property that needs to be removed, I recommend that you either contact your local beekeeping association, or look it up online. Your local beekeeping association likely has several beekeepers that are experienced in live bee removal and will be able to point you in the right direction.
To find bee removal services near you, a quick online search may also be sufficient. Beeremovalsource.com has compiled a list of beekeepers by state that perform bee nest removal.
Summary
A bee nest is the natural structure in which bees build to live in. If an unwanted bee nest is on your property, a beekeeper should be called to remove it. Bee nest removal cost varies by the location, type of bee, and size of the nest.
