Do you have honeybees occupying an unwanted location? Before reaching out for assistance, please review our Swarm Help guide to ensure that the bees are indeed honeybees.
During the months of March to July, swarms of honeybees may appear as a cluster of bees outside their home, often on a tree or bush. These bees are searching for a new place to call home, which could potentially be in a location that is inconvenient for humans, such as a garage or attic.
If you come across a swarm, please consider reaching out to one of the beekeepers in your local area, listed below. Swarms represent free bees to beekeepers, and they would be interested in capturing them. Please be prepared to answer the questions below when you call and choose a beekeeper in your general area.
If the swarm is not captured, the honeybees may colonize in a location that is inconvenient for humans. If honeybees have already moved into a structure, our beekeepers might be able to assist with their removal. Some beekeepers may charge a nominal fee for the removal of bees from structures.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us safely and responsibly relocate honeybees!
When contacting a beekeeper, please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Have you identified the bees as honeybees? Please refer to our identification guide, as other insects such as bumblebees, hornets, and yellowjackets can be mistaken for honeybees. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with the removal of these other critters. You may need to contact a pest control company.
- If it is a swarm, is it still present? Swarms may pause for a few minutes up to 36 hours before finding a permanent home. Once the scouts have located a suitable location, the swarm will depart.
- If it is a swarm, how high above the ground is it located? Please provide an accurate estimation of the swarm’s height, even if it is as high as 50 feet in a tree.
- If the bees are occupying a structure, how high up is the entrance located?
By providing us with this information, our beekeepers can better assess the situation and safely remove the honeybees.
Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association 