Swarms will most likely be found April through July in this area.

If the swarm is in a structure:

If the swarm is in the open:

The first thing that you need to do is to stay calm. Honey bees are not likely to sting unless they feel that their hive is threatened, and right now they do not have a hive. So if you leave them alone, they should leave you alone. You are observing one of the wonders of nature. A colony of honey bees has reproduced, sending part of its population out looking for a new home. If successful, what was once one hive will soon be two. Left alone they will most likely fly off in search of that new home in a couple days.

However where they set up that new home may not be convenient for their human neighbors. Sometimes honey bees will set up housekeeping in the walls, an attic, or under the floor of a house. If the house is not being used it may not be a problem. However if the house is occupied by humans it will normally be necessary for the honey bees to be removed (see below). To prevent the possibility that the honey bees will select the "wrong" place for their new home it is best if they are given a new home in a location where they are appreciated, and cared for.

Enter the beekeeper. Many beekeepers are willing to collect swarms and move them to locations where they will not be a problem to people. Be aware that a beekeeper may charge for collecting the swarm. Are you sure that they are honey bees? A beekeeper will not want to drive over to find out that it is a hornets nest. Beekeepers are not (usually) exterminators. So they will most likely not deal with other than honey bees. Try to have the following information when you call a beekeeper about removing a swarm. How big is the mass of honey bees? Baseball, Softball or Basketball size? How high above the ground is the swarm? If it can not be reached from the ground some beekeepers will not be interested in collecting the swarm. Those that are will need to bring equipment to get up to the swarm to collect it. How long has the swarm been there? If it has been more than a day, and the beekeeper can not come immediately (most beekeepers have other jobs) the swarm may fly off. So they will want to call before they drive over.

A list of club members who remove swarms.

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If the swarm is in a structure:

Remember, honey bees are not likely to sting unless they feel that their hive is threatened. With that in mind, the structure is now their hive. So you will need to be a little more careful around them than you would have to be with a swarm in the open. Do not get too close to the entrance. If possible stay about thirty feet away. At that distance the honey bees should take no notice of you.

The sooner that the hive is removed from the structure the better. The honey bees will be making comb and storing honey and pollen as well as raising young. Ideally all of this should be removed. If not it may attract other pests and/or cause damage to the structure.

Enter the beekeeper. Some beekeepers are willing to collect swarms from structures and move them to locations where they will not be a problem to people. Be aware that a beekeeper will most likely charge for removing a hive from a structure. Are you sure that they are honey bees? A beekeeper will not want to drive over to find out that it is a wasps nest. Beekeepers are not (usually) exterminators. So they will most likely not deal with other than honey bees. Try to have the following information when you call a beekeeper about removing a hive from a structure. How high up is the hive? Can it be worked from the ground or will scaffolding or some other equipment be needed to reach it? Usually it is best to remove either the outer covering of the structure (siding etc.) or the inner covering (sheetrock etc.) to get to the hive and remove it entirely. Other times when this is not possible, the honey bees are "trapped out" leaving the comb, honey, pollen, and brood (baby bees) behind. So some knowledge of what the structure is made of will be useful.

A list of club members who remove swarms.

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