Free Bee Removal in Auburn, CA
The Bee Conservatory provides free, humane bee swarm removal and relocation in Auburn and surrounding Placer County communities. No pesticides. Just safe rescue.
What bee removal looks like in Auburn, CA
Auburn's Old Town is a cluster of original 1850sā1900s Gold Rush wood-frame and stone buildings, and honey bees have been moving into their walls and chimneys for more than a century. The elevation (~1,300 ft) creates two distinct forage zones: lower neighborhoods support coast live oak and interior live oak woodland, while the upper edges toward Foresthill transition into ponderosa pine and black oak. Auburn State Recreation Area and the American River canyon host abundant feral colonies in old oak cavities, and those populations regularly seed swarms into adjacent residential yards. The cooler, wetter microclimate also pushes spring bloom about two weeks later than the valley floor, so swarm season runs well into May here.
Common situations in Placer County
- Wall and chimney colonies in Old Town Auburn wood-frame and stone buildings
- Cavities in coast live oak and interior live oak on foothill residential lots
- Swarms from feral populations near the American River canyon
- Later swarm season than the valley ā into May at higher elevations
Who regulates beehives in Auburn
We handle live removal. For hive registration or the rules on keeping bees in Auburn, these public sources are the ones to check. Rules change, so confirm with the office before you act.
Placer County office
Placer County Agricultural CommissionerIts apiary page explains how beekeepers register with the county each year.
We protect bees. Not exterminate them.
We're a nonprofit working to protect bees, not exterminate them. We remove and relocate live bees for people in Auburn and across the Greater Sacramento region, and donations help cover the cost.
Free Live Removal
Live bee removal is free. If a colony is inside a wall or other structure, we'll explain what's involved, including any repair or other costs, before any work starts.
Timing
Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there.
Humane Relocation
We move live bees to a new home instead of killing them.
How free bee removal works
The Bee Conservatory removes live bees in Auburn and relocates them instead of killing them. Live bee removal is free. If a colony is inside a wall or other structure, we'll explain what's involved, including any repair or other costs, before any work starts. Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there.
Report the Swarm
Submit our online form or give us a call. We make it simple.
We Assess
We talk through what you're seeing and tell you when we can get there.
Safe Removal
We carefully remove the bees without spraying pesticides.
New Home
Live bees are moved to a new home away from the site.
Neighborhoods we serve in Auburn
We provide free bee removal across all of Auburn, including Old Town Auburn, Auburn State Recreation Area, Foresthill, Cool. If you're in Placer County and have found a bee swarm, we can help.
- Old Town Auburn
- Auburn State Recreation Area
- Foresthill
- Cool
Common bee situations we see
Bee Swarm on a Branch
Usually a temporary cluster while scouts search for a new home. Typically docile. Report it early, before the bees settle in.
Bees in a Wall or Roof
An established hive that needs careful extraction. We'll explain what's involved, including any repair or other costs, before any work starts.
Bees in the Ground
Often bumblebees or ground-nesting mining bees. We assess the species and advise on the best approach.
Swarm on Your Property
Don't panic, don't spray. Most swarms are calm. Call us, and we'll tell you when we can get there.
Bee removal in Auburn: common questions
- Is bee removal really free in Auburn?
- Live bee removal is free. If a colony is inside a wall or other structure, we'll explain what's involved, including any repair or other costs, before any work starts. The Bee Conservatory is a nonprofit, and donations help cover this work in Auburn. Call (916) 404-4294 or report a swarm online.
- How fast can you remove bees in Auburn?
- Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there. A swarm clustered in the open is usually docile and quicker to collect. An established colony inside a wall, roof, or tree cavity takes more planning.
- What should I do if I find a bee swarm on my property?
- Don't panic and don't spray. A swarm is a temporary cluster of bees searching for a new home, and it is usually calm because the bees have no hive or honey to defend. Keep children and pets away, give the bees space, and report the swarm to us. Spraying pesticide makes the bees defensive and harder to relocate safely.
- Do you remove bees from inside walls and roofs in Placer County?
- Yes. A colony inside a wall, roof, soffit, or chimney is more involved than an open swarm, because the cavity may have to be opened to reach the bees and comb. We'll explain what's involved, including any repair or other costs, before any work starts.
- Should I call an exterminator instead?
- For honey bees, no. Extermination kills a beneficial pollinator, and dead bees and abandoned comb left inside a wall can attract pests and cause odor and staining. Live removal keeps the bees alive. We can also help you tell the difference between bees and wasps before you decide on a course of action.
Resources for Auburn homeowners
Bees in Your Walls? How Live Removal Works
When a colony moves into a structure, here's how we remove them without poison.
Read articleWhy Our Live Bee Removal Is Free
How donor funding supports live bee removal.
Read articleThe 2026 Bee Crisis: What's Happening and How to Help
Colony losses hit record levels. Here's the data and what it means locally.
Read article
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Need bee removal in Auburn?
Don't call an exterminator. Our free service protects both you and the bees.
(916) 404-4294