Dealing with bees around your home can be frustrating and even dangerous. Getting stung is no fun, and large bee infestations can do serious damage to your property. The good news is that in many cases, you can get bee removal services for free or very low cost if you know where to look. Here are some tips on how to get free or cheap bee removal near you.
Check With Local Beekeepers
Many amateur and professional beekeepers are happy to perform bee removals for very low or no cost in order to acquire new bee colonies. Beekeepers rely on new colonies from removals to grow and expand their apiaries. Start by searching for “beekeepers near me” and reaching out to any local beekeeping clubs or associations in your area. Let them know about your bee problem and ask if any beekeepers would be willing to remove the bees for free in exchange for keeping the colony. This is often the simplest and fastest route to find free bee removal services.
Contact Local Authorities
In some cases your local police or fire department may provide free bee removal services, especially if the bees pose an immediate threat. Give them a call, explain your situation and ask if they have resources to help. While they won’t always offer bee removal directly, they can often refer you to local beekeepers who can assist. At the very least, they can remove the bees if they are in a sensitive area near schools, public parks, etc.
Search For Bee Removal Training Programs
Some pest control companies and university extension programs offer bee removal training programs for new technicians. As part of their hands-on training, these new bee removers will often perform jobs for free or very cheap. Get in touch with local pest control companies, universities, and county extension offices to see if any bee removal training programs exist in your area. Offering your home for training is a win-win – you get bee removal at a discount while trainees get valuable experience.
Look For Bee Removal Coupons And Discounts
While rarely free, some pest control companies will offer coupons, group deals, and seasonal discounts for bee removal services that reduce the price significantly. Search for “bee removal coupons near me” and check companies’ websites directly to see if any promotional offers are available. You may be able to find bee removal for $50-75 instead of several hundred dollars. Sign up for companies’ email lists to be notified of future promotions and discounts too.
See If Your Homeowners Insurance Covers It
Some homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for bee removal and damage caused by bee infestations. Give your insurance agent a call to go over your policy and double check that bees are not listed as an exclusion. If your policy covers bees, your insurance company will take care of the bee removal at no cost to you. This is one of the best ways to get truly free bee removal.
Ask Your Neighbors For Recommendations
Talk to your neighbors and see if any of them have experience with local bee removers, especially those who offer services for low cost. Your neighbors will likely give you an honest assessment of companies they’ve used. You can also check community Facebook groups and Nextdoor for recommendations in your immediate area. Neighbors are often happy to share contact information for high quality, affordable bee removal providers that they have successfully used before.
Look For Bee Removal Charities
Believe it or not some non-profit organizations provide bee removal services for free or very low cost, especially to low income households. For example Operation Homefront is a national non-profit that helps military families with a variety of services including bee removal. Search for bee removal charities in your state or city to find programs that offer financial assistance and discounts.
Barter Your Services In Exchange
If you have a particular skill or service to offer, consider bartering with a local beekeeper or pest control company For example, you could offer handyman services, professional photography services, web design, etc. in exchange for free bee removal services Pest control companies may be willing to swap services if it saves them marketing and operational costs.
Be Flexible On Timing
Bee removal providers are often willing to remove bees for free or cheap if you provide some scheduling flexibility. Late fall and winter are slower seasons, so companies will take on more jobs at reduced prices to keep their staff busy during this time. Make sure to mention you’re open to having the bees removed at their convenience.
DIY Bee Removal (Use Caution!)
If you’re willing to take on the challenge, it’s possible to remove bees yourself for the cost of a few supplies. But extreme caution is advised, as disturbing bees without proper training and equipment can anger the colony and put you at risk of getting stung repeatedly. Make sure to carefully research DIY bee removal techniques first. Or better yet, see if a beekeeper will guide you through the process safely for free in exchange for keeping the bees.
Getting bees removed from your property doesn’t have to break the bank. With some effort and creativity, it’s often possible to find affordable or free bee removal services through local beekeepers, pest control companies, authorities, training programs, charities, bartering arrangements, and flexible scheduling. Just make sure to thoroughly research any DIY removal methods before attempting them yourself. Stay persistent and you should be able to locate an economical bee removal option that works for your situation.
LACBA does not provide bee/swarm removal services. Please contact one of the beekeepers on the referral list below!
If you find a swarm (cluster, ball or bunch) of bees on your property, dont panic. Dont grab a can of Bee and Wasp Control and spray them. And dont call an exterminator. Call a Beekeeper! .
The LACBA does not endorse or recommend any specific bee removal companies. We do offer the following list of LACBA Club Sponsor Members who are experienced beekeepers who know how to get rid of bees and swarms.
Swarming bees are not usually aggressive. They’re looking for a new home. If possible, a responsible beekeeper will try to save the hive and move it. If there are signs that the hive is aggressive, the beekeeper will either re-queen it or destroy it. It is much harder to get rid of a swarm from a building than it is to catch colonies in trees or bushes. If bees have moved into a building, it might need to be opened to get the bees, the comb, and the honey out. Read your contract as to what your and the beekeeper’s contractual obligations are. These beekeepers may not be licensed contractors and may choose to not take on hazardous removals. If the swarm is hanging from high voltage lines call your local electric company.
Most beekeepers charge for their services (which may just be to cover their time and costs). Cost varies depending on the job. The LACBA DOES NOT have a list of bee removal charges. You need to call the beekeeper directly.
Make sure you contact a beekeeper who serves the area where the bees are located. We appreciate your contacting a beekeeper for bee/swarm removal and request that you be respectful of these beekeepers. They sometimes can’t handle all the requests they get for removals, and they also have to take care of their bees. Thank you!.
Southern California:
Bare Bees Honey: Tel: 626-533-0038 email: kevin. heydman@gmail. com Relocates swarms and beehives to their apiaries throughout Southern California. The owner, Kevin Heydman, and his son Nick have been removing live bees and keeping bees in Los Angeles County for more than 15 years.
Holly Hawk: Cell: 626-807-0572. Antelope Valley to the sea, from a needle to a battleship. All for the bee’s. But it is not free.
Buzzed HoneysDavid Bock, Owner Cell: 323-478-2625www.buzzedhoneys.cominstagram.com/buzzedhoneysfacebook.com/buzzedhoneyslosangeles
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties:
Byron Levy: Save My Bees Tel: 707-888-4644 email: [email protected] website: www.savemybees.com
SELECT AREAS:
Altadena, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre:
Dave Williams: Tel: 626-791-8979 Cell: 626-808-1771 email: [email protected] (Altadena, Arcadia, LaCanada/Flintridge, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena)
Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Marino, and South Pasadena:
Charlene Potter: Text pictures of bees or where bees are with brief explanation to (626) 283-1427. Do not send video. Indicate your city or location.
Informative articles and video:
Visit our LACBA Africanized Honey Bee Page:http://www.losangelescountybeekeepers.com/africanized-bees
How To Make Bees Go Away Without Killing Them??
FAQ
Who to call to remove bees near me?
Does homeowners insurance cover bee removal?
How much does bee swarm removal cost?
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Bee Type
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Cost
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Carpenter Bees
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$75–$500
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Bumblebees
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$75–$500
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Africanized Honeybees
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$100–$1,000
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Bee Swarms
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$125–$200
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Is bee removal free in Los Angeles County?
How to choose a bee removal service?
Other essential factors include service area, the bee removal service’s understanding of local laws, humane removal, price, guarantees, and customer service. The type of stinging pest you want to have removed will affect what type of service will be required.
What is the best bee removal service?
The company also offers a pestfree365 plan to treat and prevent pests year-round, including wasps and carpenter bees. Because of the importance of protecting bees as pollinators, the American Beekeeper Federation is our top choice for best bee removal service.
Does California provide free bee removal services?
There are free-of-charge bee removal services offered by the State of California. The Beekeepers Association of Southern California and California State Beekeepers Association are two main associations providing these services in California. There are also associations for Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara Valley.
How do I get rid of bees in Buffalo?
If you’re looking for a Buffalo Area, NY bee removal service near you, contact us today at (716) 801-4668 or email us for a free inspection. Always clean and cover your garbage cans. Plant flowers away from high-use areas to avoid aggravating bees. Plant peppermint, bees hate the smell.
Is bee removal free at ecobeeremoval.com?
If bees are up on a tree or outside a structure, you won’t get a free removal and likely won’t want to. However, if bees are inside your house, you’ll want an open, clean, close bee relocation with a warranty. At ecobeeremoval.com, we offer exactly that!
How much does a bee removal cost?
If bees are within a structure, such as in a wall, the cost can go up and will also need to include repairs, so the price can start at $1,000. Some local beekeepers may remove bees for free or at a very low cost, but customers may have some difficulty finding a reliable local beekeeper who is able to perform the service.