Don't call an exterminator. We remove and relocate live bees 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.
Submit the form or call us
Give us the location, a brief description, and your contact info.
We assess the situation
We follow up to confirm details and tell you when we can get there.
Safe removal and relocation
We remove the bees humanely and without spraying pesticides.
Colony gets a new home
The bees are relocated to a new home away from the removal site.
Prefer to talk to someone directly?
(916) 404-4294About a third of global crop production by volume comes from crops that benefit from animal pollination (Klein et al., 2007).
Many people who find a swarm call pest control because they don't know a free live removal option exists, and the bees get killed.
Donations help cover this work, and we move live bees to a new home instead of killing them.
of managed U.S. honey bee colonies were lost from April 2024 to April 2025, a record (Auburn University / Apiary Inspectors of America).
U.S. honey bee colonies were counted on January 1, 2026, so honey bees are not endangered (USDA NASS).
North American bumble bee species face some degree of extinction risk (Xerces Society / IUCN).
Don't see your city? Call us and we will tell you whether we can help.
Not everything that buzzes is a honeybee. Here's a quick guide to the most common situations we get calls about.
A cluster of thousands of bees hanging from a branch, fence, or structure. They look alarming but are actually at their most docile — they have no hive to defend. Swarms are temporary and will move on within 24–72 hours, but relocation is safer and keeps them out of your walls.
Bees entering and exiting a gap in a wall, eave, or tree cavity regularly. If they've been there for weeks, a full comb structure exists inside. Removal is more involved, and we'll explain any costs before work starts. The longer you wait, the larger the comb and the harder the extraction.
Rounder and fuzzier than honeybees, often nesting in the ground or in dense ground cover. Bumblebee colonies are small (50–500 bees) and naturally die off each fall. Unless the nest is in a high-traffic area, the best approach is usually to leave them alone for the season.
Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets are not bees — they don't pollinate and we don't remove them. They have slender, shiny bodies and a more aggressive temperament. Contact a licensed pest control company for wasp or hornet removal.
Most questions about our removal service come down to five things. If yours isn't covered here, just call.
(916) 404-4294Live 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 most cases, no. Swarms are unusually calm because they have no hive or brood to defend. Established hives can be more protective, especially Africanized colonies, so we will talk through the situation with you and let you know if it requires extra precautions.
Call us and we'll tell you when we can get there. If bees are inside a living space or near a child's play area, say so when you call: (916) 404-4294.
We move them to a new home away from the removal site instead of killing them. If you would like to know more about where a colony went, ask us.
Bees return to sites where a hive previously existed because of residual wax and pheromone scent. After removal, we strongly recommend sealing the entry point and, if accessible, removing leftover comb. We can advise on this during the visit. A properly sealed cavity rarely gets recolonized.
For urgent situations — bees inside a living space, a large aggressive swarm, or anything involving children or pets — skip the form and call directly.
(916) 404-4294Sacramento Area Free Bee Removal
