If there is an unwelcome swarm of bees on your property, please reach out to one of our local beekeepers. They will safely inspect the swarm and relocate it to a hive, giving the bees a chance to thrive.
Please keep in mind that if the beekeeper is unavailable, leaving a message will prompt them to call you back as soon as possible. It is recommended that you only work with one beekeeper at a time. However, if you contact multiple beekeepers, please inform them of the other beekeepers you have already contacted to prevent unnecessary trips.
| Name | Location | Contact |
| Albert | Santa Cruz | 831.466.0142 |
| Abraham | Capitola / Live Oak / Soquel | 831.252.5184 |
| Amanda | Santa Cruz | 831.566.0601 |
| Ashley | Watsonville, Corralitos, Moss Landing, Aromas, Prunedale | 209.740.2585 |
| Brandon | Santa Cruz County | 408.828.4758 |
| Emily** | All of Santa Cruz County and further north towards San Jose | Mob: 908.752.8284 Home: 831.425.4626 |
| Jeff** | Santa Cruz and beyond | 831.713.7773 |
| James** | All of Santa Cruz County | 415.613.6975 |
| Jesselyn Rego | Live Oak | 831.515.7162 |
| Vicki | Watsonville, La Selva Beach, North Monterey County | 831.601.4758 |
** also extracts bees from walls and other structures
When you call a beekeeper to collect a swarm, please have the following information available:
- Where are they? – e.g. Up in a tree (how high), in a bush, on a fence, in the eaves of a house?
- How many are there? How big is the cluster? Common descriptions are “size of a basketball, volleyball, trash can”, etc.
- How long have they been there?
- Are there still lots of bees in the air?
- Are they honeybees? (Many calls are actually for paper wasps or yellow jackets. The beekeeper should be able to help you determine this.)
- Is it in a public place?
Removing a swarm of bees from a tree or the outside of a building is relatively simple. However, if bees have taken up residence inside a wall or roof, the extraction procedure becomes much more complex and usually involves cutting into the wall to remove bees and comb. This may require re-construction after the extraction is complete. A beekeeper working on an extraction will also sometimes need to make multiple visits to the property to ensure that all bees have been captured.
Many beekeepers will capture a swarm for free, however, that should be discussed with the beekeeper beforehand. Extraction of a colony from walls or other space usually involves a fee, as it takes much more effort and time on the part of the beekeeper. Discuss this fee with your beekeeper before you engage him/her, and also discuss whether that fee includes reconstruction.
For extractions and removals in neighboring areas, please refer to these nearby organizations: