Please consider live
Bee Removal
Live Bee Removal
Bees are important for our planet, please consider live removal rather than extermination.
The San Diego Beekeeping Society is not a business, does not have employees, and does not offer free removal of bees. If you have a swarm that has landed in a tree, bush, fence, etc, they are just there temporarily while they scout out a permanent place. They will move on in a day or two. If they are in a structure or container, they will stay permanently. If you want the bees removed from either situation, you should contact one of the businesses below for removal.
Request a Removal
Humane, Live Removal
Live Bee Removal IS NOT FREE!
In San Diego County, bee removal requires specialized training and expertise. Hiring a professional will likely save you time, keep you and your family safe, and even save you money in the long run from failed "cheap" solutions.
Requesting a Removal
The San Diego Beekeeping Society is not a business, does not have employees, and does not offer free removal of bees. For your convenience, we have a list of Bee Removal Companies below, or use the Removal Request Form to contact several of the companies at once (for the fastest response).
Bee Removal Companies
Humane, Live Removal
Live Bee Removal IS NOT FREE!
In San Diego County, bee removal requires specialized training and expertise. Hiring a professional will likely save you time, keep you and your family safe, and even save you money in the long run from failed "cheap" solutions.
Do Your Research
The San Diego Beekeeping Society provides a list of San Diego County beekeepers who utilize live removal for a charge depending on the difficulty of the situation. Before agreeing on a bee removal, make sure that you agree on the price, terms, and conditions of the removal. These companies are in good standing with the San Diego Beekeeping Society and are in compliance and registered with the County of San Diego (companies below are listed in alphabetical order).
We Want Your Feedback
Please use contact us if any of these listings are incomplete, incorrect, or you have an issue with the person.
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A-BeeLine / Forest Bees - Phone: (760) 723-8100
Based in Fallbrook, serving all of So Cal. Sweet, gentle nucs & queens. Award winning honey & live bee removal since 2005. -
“A Bee Rescue Lady” - Phone or text Kevin Swanson at (858) 272-5433
Location of Service: South of University City and No further East than El Cajon.
Specialty: Live removals; Limitations: No second story exterior.
Email sdbeerescue@gmail.com -
Adkins Bee Removal - Phone or text John at (760) 300-1111
North Inland & Coastal San Diego
Email Adkinscc@gmail.com -
Bee Chaser (Dennis) - Phone: (760) 809-3038 / beehunterdennis@gmail.com
North County
The area that I service for Live Bee Removal is North County, including Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee, also south to Carmel Valley over to Carmel Mountain. I am available 7 days a week. “I will remove a hive from anywhere that allows me to save the hive”. -
Bee Leaf USA (Travis W.) - Phone: (619) 964-2454
SD County
Full-Service Beekeeping Company (Licensed & Insured)
Specializing in: Live Rescue & Relocation, Residential Honeybee Management &Honeybee Sanctuary Tours, Workshops, & Beekeeping Classes -
Black Ops Beekeeping & Pollination (Marco M) - Phone: (619) 777-0620
All SD County -
Girl Next Door Honey, Call or text Hilary (619) 921-8189
Woman-owned, licensed, and insured since 2012
San Diego County bee rescues, apiary management, mentoring and classes. -
J R Bees (Jesse, CA Master Beekeeper) - Phone: (858) 240-9137
We are a live bee removal company that relocates hives and swarms throughout San Diego county -
Mimi’s Bees (Linda W.) - Phone: (951) 331-8827
Temecula, Murrieta, Wine Country
Swarm and bee removal (easy to reach removals, no attic or second story removals) -
Mt. Helix Bees (Carlos Richardson) - Phone: (619) 822-3236 algaenet@aol.com
Bee Removal for East and South County Areas -
QueenB Live Bee Removal (Roman Baltazar) - Phone: (619) 674-2841
Serves all San Diego county
Live Bee Removal -
San Diego Bee Sanctuary (Paul & Dom) - Phone: (619) 663-3900
SD County
We specialize in bee removals, requeening defensive colonies and private hive maintenance. -
Victory Bee Removal - Phone: (619) 494-0757 / victorybeeremoval@gmail.com
We provide LIVE bee and hive removal along with bee-proofing services for all of San Diego County.
We are open 7-days a week and offer after hours/emergency service. -
We Save Bees (Dan) - Phone: (858) 230-0351 / info@wesavebees.com
SD County
Specialty - 100% live removals & fully insured.
Bee Removal FAQ
An opportunity to learn.
More Information
Visit the California Master Beekeeper Program's page for more information about what to consider when hiring a Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Best Management Practices for Honey Bee Removal Specialists, and even more FAQs about honey bee removal.
Why Do Honey Bees Swarm?
Swarming is a term used when a portion of a hive - worker bees, a queen and possibly a few drones leave and look for a new home. The main reason for swarming is overcrowding in the hive. In San Diego, swarms usually occur between February and August, but swarms can occur at other times of the year. A swarm may contain from 2,000 to 30,000 bees. This instinctive process is nature's mechanism for colony reproduction. It's a good thing.
What is the Difference Between a Swarm and a Hive?
A swarm is a group of bees that recently left the "œmother colony" that has not yet found a new hive. Swarming bees leave their hive, fly around briefly, and then cluster on a tree limb, shrub or other object. Swarms are usually football shaped. The queen is in the center of the cluster, protected by the other bees from both predators and the weather. Swarms usually remain in a cluster for an hour to a few days, depending on the weather and the time needed to find a new nest site by scouting bees. When a suitable location (such as a hollow tree) is found for the new colony, the swarm breaks up and flies to it.
When a swarm finds a new home, the swarm moves in, starts building comb and becomes a hive. Swarms are temporary. Hives are generally permanent (unless the bees are removed or die out).
Are Swarms Dangerous?
While swarms look very frightening, the bees in a swarm are usually very gentle and rarely sting unless directly provoked. For your safety, please keep your distance until a professional arrives.
Are Bee Hives Dangerous?
Bees will defend their home, queen and young. Bees in a hive are more likely to sting than bees in a swarm.
What Should I Do if I Find a Swarm or a Hive on my Property?
If a swarm lands on your property, do not disturb it. If you do nothing, most likely the swarm will move to a new home in 1-3 days. However, if you would like the swarm removed, contact a beekeeper for removal.
If you find a permanent hive on your property, you may want to do nothing, allowing the hive to continue to exist if the bees are not creating a problem. However, if the bees are aggressive, or are located in an undesirable location, contact a beekeeper for removal.
Can Swarms and Hives Be Removed Without Killing the Bees?
Swarms can almost always be removed without killing the bees (the possible exception might be overly defensive bees).
Many (but not all) hives can be removed without killing the bees. Hive removal involves much more work than swarm removal. Whether or not a hive can be removed without killing the bees will depend on where the hive is located, and whether the bees are overly defensive.
When a hive is removed, all bees, honey and comb should be removed. Honey and combs must be removed to avoid rodents, insects and possible property damage. Bees must also be prevented from re-colonizing the same area.
When Is a California Contractor's License Required?
If you hire someone to perform contracting work (i.e., demolition or construction) valued at $500 or more (in labor and materials), California law requires that the person have a valid California Contractor's license. If your project involves more than $500 in demolition and/or re-construction costs (the $500 threshold does not include the bee removal services), make sure that you contract with a licensed California contractor. You can check for current licensure here.
When is a California Structural Pest Control Board License Required?
Anyone performing live capture and removal of bees without the use of pesticides is not required to be registered with the Structural Pest Control Board.