The Top Honey Bee Relocation Service Questions Answered

What do you need to know about professional honey bee relocation services? If your yard is home to honey bees, take a look at the top questions homeowners have about pest control experts, relocation, and safety.

Should You Remove a Bee Hive On Your Own?

Simply stated — no. Honey bee removal is a specialized service that requires a high level of knowledge and experience. Unlike other pest control services, relocation or removal won't include a quick chemical spray or a bait. Instead, the process may include removal of the entire hive, the honeycomb, the honey, and the bees.

Failure to properly remove honey bees may:

• Injure the beneficial bees. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, honey bees pollinate nearly one-third of U.S. crops. Even though these bees may seem like pests, they're a beneficial part of the ecosystem and need protection.
• Result in decay or mold growth. If part of the comb or honey is left behind, the remaining hive can grow mold or decay. This can attract a new swarm of bees to your yard.
• Attract other pests. Not only can leftover honey or a wax comb attract more bees, but it may also draw other pests (animals or insects) into your yard.

Along with these issues, a DIY removal poses a safety risk to the homeowner. Without the proper protection and adequate expertise, the bees could injure (sting) you.

Who Should Remove the Bee Hive?

If you shouldn't remove and relocate the hive and the bees inside, who should? This specialized service goes beyond basic pest control. While many pest control professionals may advertise bee service, choose a contractor who:

• Can remove the bees without killing them. Again, honey bees are a beneficial part of the environment. Make sure the contractor knows how to relocate, not just exterminate, the bees. If the contractor suggests a spray or similar pesticide method, continue your honey bee relocation search.
• Has verified references. Ask the contractor for references from past or current customers. References will help you to better understand the expertise and professionalism you can expect from the honey bee service provider.
• Can safely transport the bees. Not only should the contractor have the ability to remove the bees without exterminating them, but they should also know how to transport them out of your yard safely. Some states may also require bee professionals to have a transportation permit.

After you find an expert contractor, it's time to take the next step and schedule a relocation service. Ask the pest control professional if you need to remove items from the area or prepare your yard before their arrival. This can reduce the overall service time and make the process easier for everyone involved.

For more information, contact a honey bee relocation service in your area.