HONEY BEE SWARM LIVE REMOVAL

Live honey bee swarm removal is a humane process typically performed by an experienced beekeeper to relocate a temporary cluster of bees rather than exterminate them. When a honey bee colony divides, the old queen and thousands of worker bees leave to form a new colony they cluster on a branch, fence, or structure while scout bees search for a permanent home. Because swarming bees are not defending an established nest with brood or honey stores, they are generally docile and unlikely to sting unless provoked.
The removal process usually begins with the beekeeper confirming the insects are honey bees (not wasps) and assessing the swarm's location and accessibility. Wearing protective gear, the beekeeper positions a cardboard box, nuc box, or hive body directly beneath or beside the cluster. They then gently shake or brush the bees into the container—often by vibrating the branch or using a soft brush—so that the queen falls inside. Once the queen is captured, the rest of the swarm naturally follows her scent into the box. Any remaining bees in the air are given time to join, and the box is left with a small entrance until evening, when most foragers have returned. The container is then sealed and moved to a new apiary at least two miles away, where the bees are transferred into permanent hive equipment.
This method preserves the valuable pollinators and is far preferable to chemical extermination, as swarms represent the natural reproductive cycle of honey bees. Homeowners are strongly advised to contact a local beekeeper or swarm-removal network rather than attempting it themselves.

CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE SAMPLES OF REMOVALS