The following people collect honey bee swarms in the Austin area or know how to quickly find a nearby beekeeper. A phone call is the best way to get the beekeeper there quickly before the swarm departs. Please call ASAP. I’ll be updating this list as I find folks interested in catching swarms.
- Konrad Bouffard: 512-923-1024
- Jim Hogg: 512-228-0022
- Brandon Fehrenkamp: 512-569-6270
- Austin Urban Beekeeping Group Thread: You can add a post to this thread.
- Austin 311: The City of Austin will be able to provide a list of beekeepers and services that will come remove swarms and established hives. Please attempt to use a service that removes the bees instead of destroying them.
Please ask the beekeeper whether there is a charge for their time, fuel, or assistance. Depending on the situation, a beekeeper may come remove the bees free of charge, but it is always best to ask ahead of time.
Question: Is the swarm dangerous?
No. Honey bees in a swarm are unlikely to be aggressive and sting anyone unless you attack the bees. At this stage they do not have a home to defend and they have filled up with honey in preparation for the flight to their permanent home. If the honey bees stay and construct a wax nest they will become aggressive if you disturb them.
Question: Where did the honey bees in my yard come from? Why are they swarming?
There is a good possibility that a permanent nest (feral hive) of bees is located close to the swarm that has just landed. This could be in a cavity in a tree, a building, abandoned barrel, etc. This nest (colony) had a large population of honey bees and has run out of room to store honey, pollen and raise new bees. When this occurs the bees will begin to raise new queens and shortly before the new queens hatch the old queen will leave the hive with about one-half of the bees. The queen and bees will usually fly only a short distance, the queen will land on some object and the bees will cluster around her forming the swarm. If the first swarm does not reduce the crowding enough a second swarm may emerge.
Question: What will the swarm of honey bees do next if I don’t do anything?
Scout bees from the swarm will fly out to try to find a permanent home. If they find a suitable cavity they return to the swarm and perform a dance within the cluster communicating the location, size and other information about the possible new home. Bees receiving this information will fly to this location to investigate. When a sizable number of bees do the dance for a given location the entire swarm will leave and fly to the new nest site.
Question: How long does it take bees to find a new home?
It could take just a few hours, several days or it may not occur at all. If the scout bees do not find a suitable site they may begin building an exposed nest at the swarm location (in a tree, on the side of your house, etc.) This nest may become a problem to you. If you want a beekeeper to capture the swarm it is important to contact him or her as soon as possible. It is best to telephone the beekeeper.
I am looking for a swarm to adopt. I am a school teacher and have been wanting to do this for years. Have all the necessary equipment, just need to find a swarm. Thanks
I have two very near my home. Both inside oak trees. One has been there for a few years, the other just moved in behind the house two weeks ago.
If you’d like, or know how to remove them, let me know.
I have a new hive that set up in an old upsidedown 20 gal pot in my back yard. Not structure to deal with, just smoke them and take the pot. They probably have been there since the spring but we just noticed them recently. They are available for a small rehoming fee.
I have an established hive in a water meter. I am looking for someone to remove them so I don’t have to spray them.
This page listed several individuals who will do removals. You can also call 311 to have a larger list sent to you.
I have discovered a very large swarm of honey bees located under/in the floor/walls of an old wooden shed located on Jim Hogg. I would like for someone to take this swarm before they have to be destroyed. Please call Claudia at 327-0807.
I have a large hive in a Texas sage bush at 20500 FM 1431 in Lago Vista – Highland Lakes Real Estate office trying to have removed Gene Hammonds 512-422-1152
Are you still wanting bees. I do not know if they are honey bees but I don’t want to just kill them. They just showed you 2days ago and there are more coming. What to do? Can you help?
Judy – I personally don’t need any more bees, but I know plenty of folks who may be interested if they are indeed bees. Can you be more specific by “showed up 2 days ago”? Where did they show up and what did it look like? Was it a large ball of bees in a tree or structure similar to this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bee_Swarm.JPG)? Any additional information would be helpful in determining if they are actually bees and how easy they would be to remove.
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Thank you for your response. I failed to put that I live in Paige. Anyone offering to come charges more than I can afford at this time. The bee clubs told me to get the word out and there would be someone who would be able to help for an amount I could afford. So far no luck. Thanks again for your response.
Paige might be a bit too far away for most Austin beekeepers. There is a beekeeping group out of Brenham (http://www.centraltexasbeekeepers.org/) that you might want to try.
Thanks. Talked to them last week. They think we are too far away also.
I would love to adopt a swarm. I am a new bee. Have been going to Austin urban bee meetings and wcaba meetings. Have an empty hive setup baited in hopes a swarm will be looking for a new home. No luck yet just look e loos. If you have a hive to split or a swarm. Email Paula.walls@sbcglobal.net. Thank you
I have a large hive in my neighbors backyard in their shed very close to the fence line facing my yard. I am looking for someone to remove it.
lisa in crestview neighborhood
redchicken1313@aol.com