Seeing a bee hive in a tree on your property can be alarming. Your first instinct may be to get rid of it as quickly as possible before you or your family gets stung. However, destroying a bee hive can be dangerous if not done properly. When removing a bee hive, it’s crucial to do it in a safe, responsible manner.
In this article, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for removing a bee hive in a tree safely and humanely We’ll also cover
- Understanding bee behavior so you can stay safe
- Tips for preparing to remove a bee hive
- The best methods and tools for getting rid of a bee hive
- How to clean up after removing the hive
Understanding Bee Behavior
Before attempting to remove a bee hive, it’s important to understand basic bee behavior. Here are a few key things to know
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Bees become defensive when their hive is disturbed – Bees instinctively protect their home and food source. If you disrupt the hive, they will defend it by stinging.
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Bees release attack pheromones when aggravated – When a bee stings, it releases pheromones that signal other bees to attack This can initiate a cascading defensive response
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Africanized “killer” bees are more aggressive – Africanized honey bees are a hybrid that can be more easily provoked than European bees. They will vigorously defend their hive.
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Bees are less defensive at night or when it’s cool – Lower temperatures make bees more docile and less likely to attack. Plan your hive removal accordingly.
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Stand clear when working near hives – Give bees a wide berth so you don’t provoke them. Also, have an escape route planned in case they do become aggravated.
Preparing to Remove a Bee Hive
Proper preparation is crucial for staying safe when getting rid of a bee hive. Here are some tips:
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Wear protective clothing – Cover yourself as completely as possible with thick, light-colored clothing. Wear gloves and tie shirt and pant cuffs tightly.
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Use smoke to calm the bees – Smoke masks alarm pheromones and makes bees less aggressive. Gently puff smoke around the hive entrance before starting.
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Work at night or when temperatures are cool – Bees are more docile at night or when it’s under 55°F. Plan the removal accordingly.
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Have emergency medical supplies ready – Just in case someone gets stung, have medications, topical ointments and first-aid materials on hand.
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Clear the area of people and pets – Make sure no people or animals are nearby when you disturb the hive. Move them inside if necessary.
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Have deterrents ready – Keep a hose handy to spray bees or wasp spray to kill them if they attack in swarms.
Methods for Removing a Bee Hive from a Tree
When you’re fully prepared, it’s time to remove the hive. Here are the best methods:
Call a professional beekeeper
The safest option is having an experienced beekeeper remove the hive for you. They have the proper protective gear, tools, smoke, and skills to remove bees and relocate the hive without harming it. This avoids risk to you. Professional removal averages $100-$200.
Knock down the hive at night
If a beekeeper isn’t feasible, another method is physically removing the hive after the bees are dormant. Cover yourself fully, then use a long pole to knock down the hive after dark when temperatures are below 55°F. The dormant bees will be docile. You can then seal up the hive remains immediately so bees don’t return in daylight.
Remove the branch or limb containing the hive
Using a chainsaw or handsaw, carefully cut away the entire branch or limb that the beehive is attached to. Do this at night when bees are inactive. You can then seal up the hive remains. The bees will find a new home.
Use a bee vacuum
A bee vacuum specially designed for pest control can safely suck up bees from a hive without harming them. The bees are captured live in an attached chamber. You then relocate and release the bees unharmed. This avoids killing them.
Apply insecticide dust at night
As a last resort if other methods won’t work, you can apply a fast-acting insecticide dust into the hive opening at night when bees are dormant. The dust will kill them inside the hive. However, this also destroys the hive.
Cleaning Up After Removing a Bee Hive
Once you’ve dismantled the hive using one of these methods, a few steps remain:
- Seal up the nest remains immediately so bees don’t return
- Dispose of removed hives/combs in tightly sealed bags
- Clean up and remove any scattered honey and wax debris
- Spray the area with bee repellent like mint oil
- Monitor the location for any returning bee activity
With the proper preparation andtechnique, you can remove a bee hive from a tree safely. Whenever possible, see if a beekeeper can relocate the hive rather than destroying it outright. But ifyou must remove it yourself, exercise caution and always use protective equipment to avoid getting stung.
StepsMethod
- It’s a question: How do I get rid of a beehive on a backhoe? The answer was written by a trained researcher and checked by a staff editor to make sure it was correct and complete. Author: wikiHow Staff Answer: The methods in this article can be used to move or destroy beehives on almost any surface.
- How do I get rid of a beehive that is inside the shingles on the outside of my house? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and complete. It might be best to call a professional pest control service because it can be hard to get rid of the whole hive if you can’t see it.
- Will moth balls get rid of bees from a nest? wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer: This answer was written by one of our trained researchers, who made sure it was correct and complete. There’s a chance that some bees will choose to go deeper into the hive, so there’s no guarantee that it will get rid of all the bees.
- You might have to call a company that gets rid of pest animals and bugs. These can often charge hefty fees. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1 .
- Honey bees can be a gift to a beekeeper. Always contact a local beekeeper before exterminating a hive. They can determine if the bees are salvageable. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
- If there is a big hive, you might have to leave your house until it can be controlled. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial
- Bees can be dangerous. For help with bees, call a professional if you don’t know what you’re doing or don’t have the right tools. Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 21 .
- You shouldn’t eat honey from a nest that has been sprayed with bug spray. You might get really sick! Thanks 4 Not Helpful 2
- If you are allergic to bees, don’t try to take down the hive yourself. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1 .
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Things You’ll Need
- Light-colored and smooth-textured clothing
- Gloves (leather preferred)
- Headgear (beekeeper veil preferred)
- Insecticide spray
- Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags
- Soap, water, and a scrub brush
- Materials to repair any structural damage or block off openings
How to Get Rid of a Bee Hive in a Tree
FAQ
How do I permanently get rid of a beehive?
How long does a beehive stay in a tree?
How much does it cost to remove a beehive from a tree?
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Size of Hive
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Average Overall Removal Cost
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Small
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$118
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Medium
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$450
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Large
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$1,170
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Extra-Large
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$2,000
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Do bee hives damage trees?
How to get rid of a bee hive from a tree?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to get rid of a beehive from a tree, focusing on methods such as moving, removing, and smoking them out. Wear protective gear and use a hardware cloth to wrap the beehive. You can also use a bee box and bee vacuum to move them. If you want them to leave the hive, you can use a bee smoker.
How do you get rid of bees in a tree?
There are quite a few things that you can do to try to get rid of bees in a tree. Before you harm the bees to get them to leave, it might be best to see if the non-lethal options will work out. Try to use cinnamon or mothballs to scare the bees away and make them relocate their hive.
How do you kill a bee hive?
It’s time to remove your first beehive. Spray the insecticide on the beehive. Do this in the late afternoon or early morning as indicated above. Repeat the application several times in order to kill all the remaining bees in the hive. Remove and destroy the beehive to prevent foraging bees from neighboring colonies from moving in.
How do you dispose of a bee hive?
Dispose of the hive in a heavy duty trash bag. Use a contractor-grade trash bag or 2 thick trash bags to to dispose of the beehive. Once you place the beehive (whole or in pieces) in the trash bag, securely tie the bag. Place it in the trash container and put it out for trash pickup.
How do you remove a honey bee colony from a tree?
This video demonstrates the following steps to remove a honey bee colony from a tree. A chainsaw is used to create an opening to access the colony. Combs of brood and bees are removed, trimmed, and placed in beehive frames. Rubber bands are used to hold the combs in the frames. These frames are then placed in a beehive.
What happens after a beehive is removed from a tree?
After all the combs are removed from the tree, the beehive is placed near the former entrance to the colony. The beehive is left in place overnight for the remaining bees to settle into their new home. The beehive is then removed early the next morning before bees are foraging.