How Much Does Does Bee Removal Cost?

Bees are an important part of most environments. They help pollinate flowers and produce the honey so many people enjoy. Unfortunately, there are times, however, when a swarm of bees may move into an area of your property that isn’t welcome. Maybe you or a loved one are allergic to their stings and would feel more comfortable with them gone. Or maybe they’ve invaded your deck, balcony, attic, or other area where they have become a nuisance, making people nervous as they pass by the hive. Honey production can actually be a messy process as well, so if bees take up residence inside your walls or attic, you could end up with a large mess on your hands to clean up if not taken care of in in a timely way.

There are four different types of bees that may take up residence on your property. The type of bee as well as the size and location of the hive can all play a hand in the cost necessary to remove them. The average cost to remove bees ranges between $200 and $750 for bee removal, with the average customer paying $550 to remove a medium sized killer bee nest from an underground location after an initial inspection.

Bee Nest Removal

Labor Cost to Remove Bees

In most cases, calling a bee removal specialist will result in an inspection of the nest. Some companies will roll this cost into the removal price, but others will charge a separate fee, especially in the case of a large infestation. This inspection runs around $150 to $250, and will help the specialist determine the type of bee and the best way to get rid of it.

Nest removal costs start at around $80 after assessment for just the removal of the nest. Depending on where it is located, you may need to hire a carpenter to help repair the area at a rate of $70 an hour. Removing a honeybee swarm may require 4 to 6 hours of work afterward to repair the damage. Repairing damage done by carpenter bees may take a minimum of 4 - 6 hours as well. Bumblebees do not generally damage property that requires repair after removal.

If it’s been determined that the only way to remove the bees is to kill them, you will need to pay an exterminator.

Live Bee Removal

Whenever possible, it is best to strive for live bee removal. Some beekeepers will even remove a healthy hive for free, but most charge a fee. Some pest control companies will also do their best to use live bee removal, or, if they cannot, refer customers to bee removal specialists. The price really comes down to how difficult it is to access the hive. If the bees have taken up residence inside walls or ceilings, expect higher costs. A hive located outside of the house can cost as little as $100 to remove, but hives located on the second story of a home inside of the walls can cost over $1,000 to remove.

Bee Exterminator Cost

There are a few ways that bees can be removed or exterminated. The direction you take will be based partly on the type of bees being removed, as well as the area, and any regulations nearby. There are many companies that will tackle the live removal of the bees and their hive from your home. This will involve reaching the nest or hive, potentially by opening walls in your home, smoking to quiet the bees, and then the removal of the entire hive and all the bees. Some of these companies will then make repairs to the area they removed the bees from at a further cost to you. Depending on where you live, and what the local bee population is like, you may have a hard time finding a pest company who will kill the bees; some will offer removal services, while others will simply pass on the job.

Carpenter bees, and bumblebees, as well as honeybees that aren’t wanted by a nearby beekeeper may need to be exterminated, however. This is usually done by spraying the bees with a chemical which kills them, and deters new bees from coming to take over the nest. Exterminator costs range from $250 to $500 on average.

Bee Nest Removal Cost by Type of Bee

There are actually a number of different types of bees in the world. The most common to be found on your property, though, will likely fall into one of four categories:

Bumble Bee Removal Cost

Bumble bees are larger, yet live in much smaller nests. A bumblebee nest will only have up to 50 bees in it at one time. They live in areas in or near the ground, such as in your yard or under your deck. Bumble bees generally have a mellow temperament and are unlikely to sting, unless they feel threatened. However, they can sting multiple times. As with other types of bees, the sting should only be dangerous if allergic to bee stings. Since bumble bees are not normally aggressive and their nests rarely cause damage to homes, it is unlikely that they will need to be removed. If a bumble bee infestation has become troublesome, it should only cost between $80 and $200 to treat the nest.

Carpenter Bee Removal Cost

Carpenter bees are solid black, and only the females are able to sting. Their sting should not be dangerous, unless allergic to bee stings. They make their homes by burrowing deep inside wood, particularly on decks and in attics. They can do serious structural damage to your home if not removed in a timely manner. Carpenter bees are more solitary creatures, so it is unlikely to have a large infestation. However, there could be several small burrows located around your home. The damage may become severe if carpenter bee treatment is not performed as soon as possible. Carpenter bee extermination costs for only one small nest may be as little as $100. A carpenter bee treatment cost for multiple burrows, plus repair of the damage can cost over $600.

Honey Bee Removal Cost

Honeybees are social, living in large swarms of up to 50,000 in one hive. Even a new hive may have up to 9000 bees living in it at one time. Honeybees live year round, but often go dormant during the winter months. A honey bee can sting, but usually only does so when feeling threatened, and it can only sting one time. The sting can be life threatening to anyone who is allergic to bee stings, but to most people, it will just hurt for a small amount of time. Honey bee hive removal by a company that offers these services can be one of the most costly because of the large nature of their nests and the fact that dealing with the honey can leave things quite sticky. Honey bee removal cost will depend on the size and location of the hive. A small hive located on the exterior of the home may be able to be removed for as little as $100, but a large hive located inside walls or ceilings can cost $1,000 or more to remove.

Killer Bee Removal Cost

The killer bee, also known as “Africanized honey bees,” can be frightening because of their aggressive nature. They are slowly spreading throughout the United States and are generally more likely to swarm and attack in larger groups. When one bee stings, a pheromone released causes other nearby bees to become agitated and attack. Even though a killer bee dies after one sting, multiple stings from a number of bees can make an attack fatal, especially if allergic to bee stings. Killer bees can live underground, in rocks, or around buildings. They are quick to leave a nest if it is disturbed and take up residence elsewhere. Their colonies are fairly small and removal/extermination should cost between $150 and $800.

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Can Bees Damage Your House?

The vast majority of the time, it’s a good thing to have bees around. They help plants and crops grow successfully by pollinating. Unfortunately, each spring hives split in half, with a large number taking off to form a new hive. When this happens, they may find their way into your home or property, taking up residence where they aren’t wanted.

Are Bees Dangerous to Humans?

There are several problems with having bees on your property. People who are allergic to bee stings may be at risk for deadly reactions if the bees are living close by. Bees can also make a large mess, and even destroy the structure of your home if left alone there too long.

Many bees have a habit of finding their way inside structures such as chimneys; when you attempt to use that structure for the first time after their arrival, it can trigger them to swarm, which can cause painful stings and potentially fatal reactions.

Where Do Bees Nest?

The location of the nest is largely dependant on the type of bee that you have living there. Carpenter bees will target outdoor wood structures such as porches, window frames, and decks. Bumblebees will likely target your yard, as well as crawl spaces beneath your home. Honeybees are looking for open areas or structures big enough for their nest. They prefer chimneys, hollow trees, and walls, as well as crawl spaces and attics.

The location of the nest plays a big role in how easy or difficult it is to remove the bees. Carpenter bees and bumblebees tend to be easier to remove, simply because their nests are smaller and more likely to be located in an easy to access area. Honeybees can be more difficult to remove because they like to be contained, which may require the opening of walls or chimneys to get them out.

How to Prevent Bees from Coming Back

There are many things that a homeowner can do to make their properties less attractive to bees looking for a home. Take a look around your property and search for places that bees might like to live in, as well as small holes in the siding that could allow entry to bees. Clean up piles of leaves, branches, and weeds and repair any holes in the exterior of your home. This is especially important around the entrances to the home. Use caulking ¹ or expanding foam spray to seal up any holes or gaps. Other places that look exciting to bees include empty pipes, garden sheds, and empty plant containers or buckets.Try not to leave these things lying around and inspect them often for signs of infestation. Bees tend to look for new homes from March to July, so this is the most important time to be alert.

Another thing to try is bee repellent spray. Apply the spray yourself, or have a pest control company come to your home. A one-time visit to apply a bee repellent spray to the perimeter of your home should cost between $50 and $200.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Bees in Walls

Depending on where the bees have taken up residence on your property and how large the hive is, it may be necessary to open or removal walls in your home to reach them. A carpenter will be required to repair the damage after the hive is gone, at a rate of $70 an hour. Expect 4 to 6 hours work. In most cases, the wall removal itself is included in the cost of the nest removal.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Free Hive Removal. While not common in every area, there are times when a local beekeeper may come and remove the hive or swarm for you for no cost. If you are sure the bees are honeybees, and they are fairly accessible, try calling local beekeepers first to see if they will handle the job before moving on to other sources.
• Bees, Yellow Jackets, and Wasps. It can be difficult for some people to tell the difference between a bee and a yellow jacket, hornet, or wasp. For the most part, bees are furry and are fairly gentle in nature. They do not swarm or get aggressive and only sting in self defense. Wasps may be larger, brighter in color, and shinier, with bold yellow insects getting the name of “yellow jacket”. They do get aggressive when provoked and will sting if bothered. Both types of insects can be found in similar areas to one another. A wasp hive, however, will be papery and brittle in appearance, while a bee’s will be hexagonal and made in a comb. Wasps are always killed rather than removed, and are taken care of by most pest control services.
• Swarms. Bees swarm in the spring and early summer. If you see a swarm, call your local beekeeper; they may come capture it for free before it has a chance to create a hive on your property. Never throw rocks or sticks at swarms; they are typically non-aggressive even if they do appear slightly frightening. Provoking the swarm may result in them stinging in self defense.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Caulking: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant