WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A SWARM ON YOUR PROPERTY / PREMISES
- Do not panic. A swarm of honey bees is usually not dangerous so, while taking reasonable precautions, such as standing at a safe distance so you are not in the middle of the swarm, enjoy one of the true wonders of nature. After a few minutes a swarm in flight will usually settle on a branch, surface or even the ground and coalesce into a clump or ball.
- Do not spray the clump / swarm of bees with anything. No water and especially no pesticides. Remember, swarming honey bees aren’t interested in you and they are not dangerous unless you have an allergy to bee venom.
- Determine that you are dealing with Honey Bees and not wasps or yellow jackets. Beekeepers only remove honey bees. Therefore, before you call the beekeeper, please be sure the bees that you are concerned about are actually honey bees. If you aren’t sure, take a moment to look at the pictures down below. The pictures included below will help you determine what kind of bee you are dealing with.Bees that nest in the ground or in a grey colored paper nest located under the eaves of your home are not honey bees.
- Take a moment to gather some information before calling a beekeeper. Listed below are some things the beekeeper will want to know. The information will help the beekeeper determine what to do to collect your swarm. It is helpful to include a photograph in the text message sent to the beekeeper but not required.
- Where is the swarm located? Is it inside or outside?
- How large is the swarm? Compare it to the size of a basketball, softball, is it bigger or smaller.
- How high off the ground is it located? Can you reach it? Is it within an arm’s length? Is it higher or lower?
- How long has the swarm been there?
- Are the bees flying in the air or have they landed somewhere?
- Do you have a ladder if one would be necessary to collect the swarm or does the beekeeper need to bring one?
GENERAL SWARM INFORMATION?
For general questions about bees and swarms, cutouts, wasps and nests, call:
Eric Christian – Phone = 707-499-6739
ABOUT THE BEEKEEPERS WHO WILL COLLECT AND REMOVE THE SWARM:
The beekeepers on the swarm list below have volunteered to collect and remove swarms. It is important to understand that this list is provided as a public service and is not an endorsement by the Humboldt County Beekeepers Association of any individual on the list. The beekeepers listed below are not agents, nor are they acting as a representative, of the Humboldt County Beekeepers Association.
IMPORTANT
Prior to engaging in the services of anyone on the list, it is recommended that you discuss your expectations of the beekeeper and the beekeeper should also explain their intentions to you. You should also discuss if there is a fee for their service.
How to use the list to find a beekeeper to service your area.
In the list below, select the town or city in the SWARM LOCATION dropdown menu that is closest to the swarm location. A list of beekeepers will populate.
Upon choosing a beekeeper who services that location, call them. If they are unavailable or do not respond, simply move to the next beekeeper servicing that location.
Enter swarm location from the "Swarm Location" drop down menu
Name Phone Cut-Outs Wasp Removal
John Winzler 707-498-2558 No No E Eureka, Cutten, Elk River, Freshwater
Eric Christian 708-499-6739 Yes Yes A, E, NH Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick
Jeannine Kaprielian 707-599-0366 No No A, E, F Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, Fortuna, Hydesville, Rio Dell, Scotia, Shively, Ferndale, Loleta
Julia Graham-Whitt 707-616-6954 No No A, E, F, NH Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, Fortuna, Hydesville, Rio Dell, Scotia, Shively, Ferndale, Loleta, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick
Amy Ziegler 707-298-1588 No No A, NH Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick
| Name | Phone | Cut-Outs | Wasp Removal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Winzler | 707-498-2558 | No | No | E | Eureka, Cutten, Elk River, Freshwater |
| Eric Christian | 708-499-6739 | Yes | Yes | A, E, NH | Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick |
| Jeannine Kaprielian | 707-599-0366 | No | No | A, E, F | Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, Fortuna, Hydesville, Rio Dell, Scotia, Shively, Ferndale, Loleta |
| Julia Graham-Whitt | 707-616-6954 | No | No | A, E, F, NH | Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, Eureka, Freshwater, Cutten, Elk River, Fortuna, Hydesville, Rio Dell, Scotia, Shively, Ferndale, Loleta, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick |
| Amy Ziegler | 707-298-1588 | No | No | A, NH | Arcata, Blue Lake, Korbel, North Humboldt, McKinleyville, Westhaven, Trinidad, Orick |
**AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT CUT-OUTS – PLEASE READ:
Honey bee colonies located inside walls, chimneys, attics, etc. require more skill, time and effort to remove than a typical swarm. Removing Bees from locations and structures such as those mentioned above are termed “Cut-Outs”. Once again, you must thoroughly express your expectations to the beekeeper as well as understand the beekeeper’s intentions and expectations including their capabilities to undertake a cut-out procedure.
A Reminder to Beekeepers Who Will be Collecting Swarms:
It is highly recommended that you have a conversation with the property owner so that both you and the property owner understand each other’s intentions. It is also recommended that you have a signed agreement with the property owner before undertaking the swarm removal, especially if a cut-out procedure is anticipated
When collecting a swarm on someone else’s property, please be courteous, respectful of the property owner and their property. Above all else, be safe and careful not to damage property or injure yourself or bystanders.
Although you are functioning as an independent agent and not a representative or agent of the Humboldt County Beekeepers Association we hope you have two goals in mind. One is to collect the swarm. Your other goal, perhaps the more important of the two, should be to become a good ambassador for beekeeping and other beekeepers.
When entering a property be careful and courteous and mindful of pets, other animals and livestock. Close all gates. Ask before cutting branches, trees or flowers. Take a moment to explain bees, swarms, swarming and swarm collecting to the property owner and by-standers. Allay their fears if necessary, about bees and swarms. Be as careful as you can and clean up after you are finished collecting the swarm.
IS IT A HONEY BEE OR SOMETHING ELSE?
WASPS, HORNETS, and YELLOW JACKETS:
Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets are familiar insects in Humboldt County. Often times when you have been stung by a “bee”, it is a sting from one of these. Some of them live in the ground while others live in cavities or in large grey paper nests. Believe it or not, in general, these insects are beneficial. They prey on, and eat, other insects that are harmful to our gardens. They live in colonies similar to our Honey Bees; however, they do not over winter in colonies like our honey bees. During the fall season, almost all of these insects die except for a single queen that will over winter and start her new colony in the spring. Therefore, if these bees are not being a nuisance problem it is often best to leave them alone.
If they are a nuisance, or you have good reasons to remove them, some beekeepers will help you eradicate their nests. Sometimes they can be moved elsewhere but usually the nest is exterminated. Check the swarm list above to see which beekeepers may be willing to help with wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. Please note that there may be a fee associated with removal.