How To Safely Remove A Beehive
What You'll Need
While the safest way to remove a beehive is to call a beekeeper, this isn’t always possible. If the beehive is located deep within the walls of a building or structure you can call an exterminator to take care of it. However, if you can see the beehive, then follow the steps below to remove the bees yourself.
Sometimes, you'll find a thick cluster of bees swarming in an area with no hive. These bees are looking for a place to build, and are even easier to remove because they'll see your bee box as a potential home. If you must remove a beehive or swarm without the help of a professional, be cautious. After you identify the beehive, wear protective gear and choose a time when most of the bees are gone from the beehive.
TIP: Our expert gardening advisor, Kathy Bosin notes, "Local beekeepers are often eager to rescue a swarm of honeybees. You can find them in the yellow pages.
Step 1: Identify the Hive
Locate the hive and examine it carefully to determine where and how it is attached. Because you will be under pressure while removing the beehive, think out your plan for detaching it in advance.
Step 2: Protect Yourself
Before you remove a beehive, dress in protective clothing. Your protective gear should include a hat with a long face veil and gloves. Close off sleeves and pant legs to keep bees from flying inside of your clothing.
Step 3: Smoke the Hive
Purchase a bee smoker and fuel pellets from your local garden store. Choose a warm, sunny day in the afternoon for removing the beehive, since this is prime time for the bees to be out pollinating. Light the fuel in the smoker and wave it around the beehive. Move calmly and quietly to avoid startling the bees.
Step 4: Remove the Hive
Once the bees are subdued by the smoke, dislodge the beehive with your scraping tool. Once the beehive is removed, put it inside the box and secure the lid. Next, poke some tiny holes in the box. This allows air to get in and also allows you to smoke the bees before you release them.
Step 5: Relocate the Hive
The best place to take honey bees is to a beehive farm. Honey bee populations are dwindling and bee farmers are happy to have them. Or, relocate them to a rural, wooded area. Smoke them before removing the beehive from the box and make sure there is no one else around.
Step 6: Clean Up the Area
After you’ve relocated the hive, clean up the area to ensure the bees do not come back. Scrape any remaining beehive residue from the structure. Clean the area with soap and water, fill any holes with caulk or spackling and apply a natural insect repellant such as citronella oil or tea tree oil to keep away any bees that were not in the hive when you removed it.
TIP: Kathy adds, "I once found a swarm of bees clinging to the side of a pedestrian bridge. I called a beekeeper who was very eager to come get it. She walked up with a big cardboard box and no protection. She held the box open right by the swarm, and gently waved the bees into the box. They went willingly. She closed the box, tucked it under her arm and walked away."
- Protective gear
- Bee smoker
- Box with a lid
- Flathead screwdriver or scraper
While the safest way to remove a beehive is to call a beekeeper, this isn’t always possible. If the beehive is located deep within the walls of a building or structure you can call an exterminator to take care of it. However, if you can see the beehive, then follow the steps below to remove the bees yourself.
Sometimes, you'll find a thick cluster of bees swarming in an area with no hive. These bees are looking for a place to build, and are even easier to remove because they'll see your bee box as a potential home. If you must remove a beehive or swarm without the help of a professional, be cautious. After you identify the beehive, wear protective gear and choose a time when most of the bees are gone from the beehive.
TIP: Our expert gardening advisor, Kathy Bosin notes, "Local beekeepers are often eager to rescue a swarm of honeybees. You can find them in the yellow pages.
Step 1: Identify the Hive
Locate the hive and examine it carefully to determine where and how it is attached. Because you will be under pressure while removing the beehive, think out your plan for detaching it in advance.
Step 2: Protect Yourself
Before you remove a beehive, dress in protective clothing. Your protective gear should include a hat with a long face veil and gloves. Close off sleeves and pant legs to keep bees from flying inside of your clothing.
Step 3: Smoke the Hive
Purchase a bee smoker and fuel pellets from your local garden store. Choose a warm, sunny day in the afternoon for removing the beehive, since this is prime time for the bees to be out pollinating. Light the fuel in the smoker and wave it around the beehive. Move calmly and quietly to avoid startling the bees.
Step 4: Remove the Hive
Once the bees are subdued by the smoke, dislodge the beehive with your scraping tool. Once the beehive is removed, put it inside the box and secure the lid. Next, poke some tiny holes in the box. This allows air to get in and also allows you to smoke the bees before you release them.
Step 5: Relocate the Hive
The best place to take honey bees is to a beehive farm. Honey bee populations are dwindling and bee farmers are happy to have them. Or, relocate them to a rural, wooded area. Smoke them before removing the beehive from the box and make sure there is no one else around.
Step 6: Clean Up the Area
After you’ve relocated the hive, clean up the area to ensure the bees do not come back. Scrape any remaining beehive residue from the structure. Clean the area with soap and water, fill any holes with caulk or spackling and apply a natural insect repellant such as citronella oil or tea tree oil to keep away any bees that were not in the hive when you removed it.
TIP: Kathy adds, "I once found a swarm of bees clinging to the side of a pedestrian bridge. I called a beekeeper who was very eager to come get it. She walked up with a big cardboard box and no protection. She held the box open right by the swarm, and gently waved the bees into the box. They went willingly. She closed the box, tucked it under her arm and walked away."
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