Swarm Removal
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 |
| Abraham | Capitola / Live Oak / Soquel | 831.252.5184 |
| Brandon | Santa Cruz County | Mob: 408.828.4758 |
| Emily** | All of Santa Cruz County and further north towards San Jose | Mob: 908.752.8284 Home: 831.425.4626 |
| Haj | Scotts Valley / Felton / Ben Lomond / Boulder Creek | Mob: 831.239.9680 |
| Jesselyn Rego | Live Oak | 831.515.7162 |
** 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, or 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. Usually, it involves cutting into the wall to remove bees and comb. This may require re-construction after the extraction is complete. A beekeeper working on 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 spaces 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: