More than likely you’ve found this article by typing “Free Bee Removal” into a search engine and are looking for someone to come out and remove bees from your property. Or maybe you are a Pest Control Company, Bee Keeper or Bee Removal Specialist wondering why people are calling you for free services.
Over the past year we have been getting calls from all over San Diego county asking, “Do you remove bees for free?” Granted, calls asking for Free Bee Removal will happen from time to time, but lately it’s been out of control and we want to share how we are resolving the issue.
In this post we are going to give some insight as to why there is a cost to specialized bee services.
Why Bee Removal Shouldn’t be a Free Service
If you understand the nature of this job then you will understand why it can’t and shouldn’t be done at no cost. After all, when something is free, someone-somewhere is paying for it in some way.
There are many scenarios and types of issues that come along with a bee removal service. Below we are going to highlight 2 of the most common situations which should apply across the board. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these services can be performed live while others cannot or should not, due to the safety of people and animals.
Swarm Removal – A Swarm is a cluster of bees that usually looks like a small football or pineapple. Occasionally they can be as large as the swarm depicted in the photo on the left. It usually appears on a tree branch, bush, on the side of a house or a variety of other places. Swarms have been known to leave on their own if they do not find a suitable place to build a hive once they land. Swarms should be captured and relocated as soon as they appear and is usually the less difficult/lowest cost service depending on where it’s located.
Structural Removal – If your property was chosen as a building site for a swarms’ next home then you will need this service. Usually found in walls, roofs, chimneys, sheds, or anything of the like. These jobs tend to cost more and should only be performed by an honest and experienced professional. The technician will need to remove the bees and HONEYCOMB together (very important), take measures to bee proof the property all without destroying your property or causing future issues/costs when they could have been prevented.
It doesn’t matter if these are performed as Live Removals or if the Bee’s are being eliminated. There are plenty of factors that contribute to the cost of removing bees. The main cost is the time and labor of the technician to travel to your house. The following are examples of other costs that contribute to the cost of removing bees:
- Experience and Expertise of a Bee Professional (almost 30 years in our case)
- Quality of Service and Warranty
- Mileage/Wear and Tear on a Vehicle
- Tools and Specialized Equipment
- Repair and Bee Proofing Supplies
- Licensing and Insurance
- Cost of doing Business within a particular City
Is there such a thing as Free Bee Removal?
Over the years we have seen many Pest Control and Bee Removal companies come and go. Since “Saving the Bees” has become a major issue, we have seen the hobbyist beekeeper scene explode.
Usually in the cases where we see the word “Free” it’s usually associated with hobbyist Beekeepers who just want the bees for their own hives.
Depending on who you are, you may be asking, “What are the potential issues that may arise when dealing with hobbyist Bee Keepers?” Let’s list a few facts and yes it does involve cost and will end up saving you some major money.
The hobbyist beekeeper usually has good intentions. If it’s a simple removal, and the hobbyist is willing to remove the swarm for free, everything may turn out ok….if the hobbyist has enough experience to do the job properly.
The real problem arises when the novice beekeeper gets in over their head and makes a mistake. These mistakes can be very expensive to fix. Take a look at the examples below of common mistakes inexperienced beekeepers make:
- When they suggest you use epoxy foam to seal in a hive in a wall or roof
- When they plug a hole in the wall and the bees invade the house
- When they try to remove an Africanized hive
Are there any coupons or discounts available?
We understand that there are situations where a little price break is needed. Throughout the year we offer a variety of bee removal coupons.
To get a better understanding of what goes into the cost and tips to keep the cost to a minimum check out one of our older posts called “How to Determine the Cost to Remove Bees from a Wall“
This is some really good information about how to remove bees. I like that you talked about swarm removal because that is a thing that can be very dangerous to try to remove yourself. My house has a small bee have in the backyard, however, my nephew is allergic to bees and I don’t want to have to worry about him getting stung when he comes to visit.
I found a beehive on my property, and I’m scared that I might accidentally disturb it. It makes sense that I would want to rely on a professional who knows what they are doing! That way I don’t have to risk getting myself hurt.