Preparing for Bee Removal: What to Do Before a Honeybee Rescue
You’ve found a honeybee colony in the wall, soffit or shed, and a beekeeper is coming out. Preparing for bee removal doesn’t take much, but a few steps make the job safer for your family, your pets and the bees. Here is the checklist we give homeowners.
Preparing for Bee Removal: Before the Visit
- 1. Send photos or a short video. Show the entrance, the bees flying, and the wall or ceiling around it. That helps us plan before anyone climbs a ladder.
- 2. Note where you hear buzzing. A hum in a wall on warm afternoons, or warm spots, helps narrow down the comb. For bees in structures, we confirm with a thermal camera.
- 3. Note any staining. Dark stains, wax or honey seeping through drywall tell us how long the colony may have been there. See can bees damage your house?
- 4. Don’t seal or spray the entrance. Sealing traps the colony and can push bees into the house. Spray contaminates the comb we’re trying to save.
The Day of the Removal
- 5. Clear access. Move vehicles, grills, furniture and planters away from the work area, and make room for a ladder on firm ground.
- 6. Keep pets and kids inside. Close doors and windows near the work area. USDA’s bee research center warns that animals running around a colony can be attacked and bring bees back with them (USDA ARS). See keeping kids and pets safe.
- 7. Tell neighbors. A heads-up keeps people from wandering close while the colony is open.
- 8. Let us know about allergies. Anyone with a known sting allergy should stay well away. See sting allergies.
- 9. Point out wiring and plumbing. If you know where lines run in the wall near the colony, tell us. It helps us plan the cutout safely.
- 10. Skip the scented products. USDA ARS notes bees are sensitive to strong scents. It’s one more reason to stay inside during the work. See can bees smell fear?
What Happens During and After
For wall colonies, we make a careful cutout to reach the comb, move the colony comb and all, and clean off leftover wax so the cavity doesn’t attract a new swarm. UGA Extension notes that a few stray workers may be around the next morning, disoriented, and usually gone within a day (UGA Extension C824).
Plan for the repair side too. Ask about it ahead of time so you know what the opening will look like. See bees came back after removal? for sealing tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it honeybees or wasps?
If you aren’t sure, see honeybee vs. yellowjacket. Wasp nests are a different service.
Do I need to be home?
It helps, especially for indoor access. Let us know what works for you.
Where do the bees go?
To The Mindful Beekeeper, through an inspection station, then to Apiary #1 in Loudon Township. See beekeeper-owned bee removal.
Ready to Start?
Honeybees are always relocated, never exterminated. Rescued colonies go to The Mindful Beekeeper, pass through an inspection station, and then join Apiary #1 in Loudon Township. Honeybee relocation from walls and other structures is being scheduled for Spring 2027. Call or text 419-614-6445 or use our contact page to tell us what you are seeing, and read about humane honeybee removal and relocation.
