FREE Honey Bee Swarm Removal!
Report Here by Email or Text
KBASwarmCall@googlegroups.com
Text 502-410-3003

FREE honey bee swarm removal in Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Simply send details to KBASwarmCall@googlegroups.com or text 502-410-3003. Your message is automatically broadcasted to our swarm catchers, who will contact you in under an hour.

Please include the following information in your message:

• Pictures (Very Important)

• Height from ground

• Location, Address

• Name

• Phone number

*****PLEASE INCLUDE PICTURES*****

Honey Bee Swarms vs Established Hives in Structures

A honey bee swarm is a group of honey bees that forms during their reproductive season, which usually occurs between March and June. These swarms often hang freely in the open air, typically on thin structures like tree branches or fence posts. Generally, swarms are quite docile and are less likely to sting since they don’t have a hive to defend and are filled with honey for their journey to a new home. When honey bees swarm, they cluster together in the open while scout bees search for a suitable new location. Usually, these free-hanging swarms won’t linger for more than a day or two, provided the weather is warm and dry, before they move into a more permanent home made of beeswax. Once they settle into a structure, like a hollow tree or a gap in a building, they become an established colony and are no longer referred to as a swarm. You might see a few bees outside the entrance of an established colony, especially on warm, humid days, with many more flying in and out. A honey bee colony tends to be more active than other stinging insects, with increased activity in warmer temperatures and larger populations. Typically, bees won’t venture out if the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer homes that are sheltered from the elements, dark, and have a volume of at least 5 gallons, elevated off the ground. Common entry points for honey bees into buildings include eaves, gables, around windows, and any gaps or holes. They usually build their combs within the wall studs, ceiling, roof, or floor, not far from where they enter. You can locate them by listening closely to the wall or using a thermal infrared camera. Honey bees typically don’t cause direct damage to buildings; instead, they exploit existing weaknesses to gain access.

Whenever possible, we recommend leaving a bee hive be. Typically, hives higher than 15ft off the ground that are away from walkways and where people/pets commonly go will not become a problem. There are not ultra agressive africanized honey bees in Kentucky, like those you may see on the news in the southwest, because of Kentucky’s cold winters. There are many bee trees and houses in Louisville, especially within the older urban areas. Also note that other stinging insects such as wasps, hornets, bumble bees, etc die-out once temperatures are freezing and will make a new hive each year in a new location the following spring. Only honey bees over-winter in the same location. If you ever have a colony of honey bees or other stinging insects that die out over winter, it is recommended to plug the hole permanently with metal mesh to prevent a new colony from chewing and repopulating the same area the following year(s).

If you are outside of Louisville and Southern Indiana you can find your local bee club here.

Established Honey Bee Hive Removals Inside of Structures & Trees

If a swarm of bees has established a home of comb in an unwanted location, such as inside a tree on your property, inside a structure's chimney, or within the walls or eaves of your home, the bees can be removed in a process called trapping or cut-out removal. Please be advised that removing bees in this manner can involve disassembling parts of your home or building. Make sure you have a clear understanding with your beekeeper about the complete process and who will be responsible for what will happen from beginning to end of the entire project. A fee is usually paid to the beekeeper for this type of removal because of the amount of time and labor involved. We do not recommended spraying hives in buildings or homes with insecticide; not only are beneficial pollinators killed, but the honey, wax and dead bees will remain in the wall and attract all-kinds of bugs and rodents including mice, roaches, moths, beetles and yellow-jackets. Rarely does the insecticide actually kill the colony completely because it cannot directly reach the queen, bees and comb inside the structure. The best course is either to leave the hive alone or remove the colony entirely.

The KBA currently does not provide removal services for honey bees inside a structure or tree or for other stinging insects. We only do swarms. Please refer to the listing by the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association https://kybees.org/Buy-Local for beekeepers who can remove hives from structures. Under the “Buy Local Products and Services” filter on this page, filter for “Bee Removal From A Structure” to see an extensive listing of providers; do not filter by county. Some providers will travel for removal services.

Disclaimer

The Kentuckiana Beekeepers Association (KBA) helps connect honey bee related requests with member beekeepers as a volunteer service to the community. The KBA makes no claims to the level of experience or skill that a member beekeeper may have in either swarm rescue or colony removal. It is the responsibility of the person requesting service, and the member beekeeper, to determine what service will be provided, if it is pro bono (free) or if the member beekeeper charges a fee. When using this service, please be aware the KBA is void of guarantees, claims, or legal responsibility as an organization.