Live bee removal from The Bee Conservatory 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. If you hire a commercial company instead, what you pay depends mostly on where the bees are, how long they have been there, and whether anything has to be opened up and repaired.
The commercial price ranges below are general market estimates, not our own data and not quotes. They vary by company, job, and season, so get a written quote before you agree to anything.
Before you pay for bee removal in the Sacramento region, call us. Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there.
What Paid Bee Removal Can Cost
- Swarm collection by a paid live remover: estimates vary, roughly $150 to $450.
- Trap-out of a colony in a soffit, eave, or shed wall: estimates vary, roughly $300 to $750.
- Live cut-out from inside a wall: estimates vary, roughly $450 to $1,500 or more for the bee work.
- Drywall and paint repair after a cut-out: estimates vary, roughly $200 to $800 more.
- Pest control extermination: estimates vary, roughly $200 to $550, which may not include removing the comb or repairing the wall.
| Job | Rough paid estimate |
|---|---|
| Swarm collection | $150 to $450 |
| Trap-out from a soffit, eave, or shed wall | $300 to $750 |
| Live cut-out from inside a wall | $450 to $1,500 or more |
| Drywall and paint repair after a cut-out | $200 to $800 more |
| Pest control extermination | $200 to $550 |
Swarm Collection
A swarm is a temporary cluster of bees that has left a parent hive and is searching for a new home. There is no comb, honey, or brood yet, so this is usually the simplest job. For what to do when you spot one, see our guides on what to do if you find a bee swarm in Sacramento and Sacramento bee swarm season timing.
Trap-Out
A trap-out is one way to deal with a colony in a soffit, eave, or shed wall without cutting into the structure. A one-way exit cone goes over the entrance so bees can leave but not return, and they gather in a nearby capture box. It usually takes weeks and may need several follow-up visits.
Live Cut-Out
A cut-out is the most labor-intensive type of removal. The remover opens the wall, ceiling, soffit, or chimney, removes the comb and bees, and moves the colony. Price depends on access, ladder requirements, colony size, and whether repair is included. For more on why bees move into walls, see our guide to bees in your walls.
Why Extermination Is Usually the Wrong Call
Spraying kills a colony that could have been relocated alive. If the colony is inside a wall, the dead bees, comb, and honey stay behind unless someone removes them. That material can rot and attract wax moths, beetles, ants, and rodents, and an uncleaned cavity can draw a new colony later. Pyrethroid sprays are also toxic to other bees. For more on pesticides, see our guide to neonicotinoids and Sacramento bees.
What Affects the Price
- Access: a swarm on a low fence post is a quick job. A colony high on a second story or in a chimney takes more equipment, time, and people.
- Type of insect: honey bees can be relocated alive. Yellow jackets are wasps and are usually a pest control job. Carpenter bees usually need a structural fix instead of removal, as our carpenter bees in Sacramento guide explains. Our bees vs wasps identification guide can help you tell them apart.
- Colony size and age: an older colony holds more comb and honey, so it takes longer to remove and clean up.
- Time of year: a late-season colony protecting its honey stores can be harder to work than a spring swarm. Some companies charge more for urgent calls.
- Repair: a drywall opening needs patching and paint. Some removers include repair, and others refer you to a contractor.
- Distance: some companies charge for travel.
How to Vet a Paid Bee Removal Company
- Are the bees alive at the end? A live remover should answer yes without hedging.
- Where do the bees go? A managed apiary or the remover's own bee yard are reasonable answers.
- Will the cavity be cleaned and sealed so a new colony does not move in?
- If a cut-out is involved, who does the repair, and are they licensed for that work? Get the bee work and wall repair quoted clearly.
- Do you charge by the hour, by the job, or by colony size?
- Can you identify the insect before quoting?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does bee removal cost in Sacramento?
Live bee removal from The Bee Conservatory 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. If you hire a commercial company, estimates vary, but general market ranges are about $150 to $450 for a swarm, $300 to $750 for a trap-out, and $450 to $1,500 or more for a cut-out from inside a wall. Pest control extermination often runs about $200 to $550. Get a written quote, because prices vary by job and company.
Is bee removal really free in Sacramento?
Live bee removal from The Bee Conservatory 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. We don't remove wasps or yellow jackets.
Why are bee exterminators usually a bad idea?
Extermination kills a colony that could have been relocated alive. If a colony dies inside a wall, the leftover comb and honey can rot, attract pests, and draw new bees to the same cavity unless the space is cleaned and sealed.
How long does bee removal take?
It depends on the job. Collecting an accessible swarm can take under an hour once someone is on site. A trap-out usually takes weeks, because the bees have to leave the cavity on their own. A cut-out usually takes several hours. Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there.
Will my homeowners insurance cover bee removal?
Often not, but policies differ. Check your policy or ask your insurer before assuming either way.
How do I tell if I have honeybees, wasps, or something else?
Honeybees are fuzzy, golden-brown, and cluster in dense groups when swarming. Yellow jackets are smooth, shiny, black-and-yellow wasps that build paper nests. Carpenter bees are large, glossy, and bore into wood. Native ground-nesting bees are small and come and go from holes in bare soil. Our bees vs wasps identification guide walks through it. You can also tell us what you are seeing and we'll help you figure out what you have.
Found bees at your home? 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.