When You Need Live Bee Removal
A honey bee colony in a wall, a roof or a shed is not a swarm that will move on by itself. Swarms hang in the open, usually on a branch or a fence, and often leave within a day or two. A colony has already built comb inside a cavity and is raising brood, so it stays until someone removes it. If you are seeing steady traffic in and out of the same gap every day, that is a colony. We take it out alive wherever it is safe to do so and relocate it instead of exterminating it. Read more about live bee removal in Arizona.
When the Colony Is Africanized
Most established wild colonies in Maricopa County carry Africanized genetics. They look identical to European honey bees, so the difference is behaviour rather than appearance: they respond faster, in far greater numbers, and stay agitated much longer. That is why we do not suggest getting close enough to judge a hive yourself. If a colony has already reacted to a mower, a dog or a slamming door, treat it as defensive, keep people and pets well clear, and call. Here is how we handle Africanized bee removal.
Why the Honeycomb Has to Come Out
Killing a colony and leaving the comb behind is the most common job we get called in to correct. With no bees left to cool it, wax softens and honey runs, staining drywall and stucco and soaking insulation. The smell pulls in ants, roaches and beetles, and the empty cavity still smells like home to the next swarm that passes. Full honeycomb and hive removal is part of the job here, not an upsell.
Wasps and Hornets Are a Different Job
Wasps and hornets are not bees and are not relocated. Paper wasp nests under eaves, inside patio furniture and in irrigation boxes are treated and removed. They are most active from late spring through autumn across the Valley, and a nest grows quickly once it is established, so early is cheaper than late. See wasp and hornet removal in Phoenix.
General Pest Control
We also handle the pests that come with desert living, including ants, scorpions, spiders, crickets and roaches, either as a one-off visit or on a monthly or quarterly plan. Plenty of customers find us for a bee job and keep us on for general pest control afterwards.
Beekeeping and Hive Management
Relocated colonies have to go somewhere. Ours go to managed apiaries, which is what makes live relocation a real service rather than a line in an advert. You can read about our Phoenix beekeeping work and what happens to your bees after they leave your property.
How a Service Call Works
- Call or request a quote and tell us what you are seeing and roughly where it is.
- We work out whether you have a swarm, an established colony or wasps, because the three are handled differently.
- On site we inspect the cavity and give you a price before any work starts.
- Removal, comb clean-out, and sealing the entry point where that applies.
- Live colonies go to an apiary rather than a bin.
Serving The Entire Valley
We cover Phoenix and the surrounding Valley, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, Queen Creek, Goodyear and Avondale. The full list, including Surprise, Buckeye, Sun City, Apache Junction, Cave Creek, Carefree and Paradise Valley, is on our locations page.
Get a Free Quote
Call 602-932-2518 or send us the details and we will tell you what you are dealing with. If bees are already inside a wall, the sooner the comb comes out the smaller the repair behind it.