Honey Bee Removal & Relocation
Honey Bee Removal in Portland, Oregon, Whether It's a Swarm or a Wall Colony
A swarm hanging in the open and a colony living inside your wall are two different jobs, with different urgency and different prices. I handle both across the Portland metro, and I try to save the bees on every one of them. A swarm almost always makes it; a wall colony depends on what I find when the wall comes off.
- Same-day service available
- Licensed Commercial Pesticide Operator
- Quoted before any work begins
Honey Bee removal in Portland, Oregon is really two different jobs, and yours is one of them
A swarm is a cluster of honey bees resting in the open, hanging off a branch, a fence post, even a car mirror. There's no comb, no honey and no nest to defend, so the whole cluster goes into a hive box in about an hour. A colony is honey bees that already moved into a wall, soffit or chimney and started building comb. That job means opening the cavity, taking the comb out with the bees, and sealing the entry. Same bee, very different day.
- Swarm: out in the open, no comb yet, often gone on its own within a day or two.
- Colony: steady traffic in and out of one hole, comb inside, and it won't leave on its own.
- Every job is quoted before I start, so you hear the price first.
- Text a photo to (206) 817-7782 and I'll tell you which one you have.
Honey bee removal splits two ways: swarm or wall colony
Everything about the visit changes at this fork: urgency, price, what I bring, and what happens to the bees. You can sort it out from your kitchen window.
| What to check | Swarm hanging in the open | Colony living inside your house |
|---|---|---|
| What it looks like |  |  |
| Where you find it | A ball of bees on a branch, fence post, mailbox or eave. Out in the open, all in one lump. | Bees streaming in and out of one gap: a soffit vent, a knothole, a seam in the siding. |
| How long it lasts | Hours to a couple of days. Scouts are house hunting, and the cluster leaves when they pick a spot. | Years, if nothing changes. Comb and honey keep going in all season, and the colony overwinters in there. |
| How defensive they are | Low. No nest, no brood and no honey to defend, and every bee left home with a full stomach. | Higher near the hole. There's brood and honey inside now, and guard bees at the entrance. |
| What it costs | The low end of my pricing, and the one case where the bees reliably do get a new home. | More, because it's carpentry, bee work and cleanup in one visit. You get the number before I start. |
| What happens to the bees | The cluster goes into a hive box and gets rehomed. | I try to move them, and it hinges on getting the queen and enough brood comb out intact. Sometimes the cavity does not allow it, and I tell you that before I start. |
Big, round, thickly furred, black and yellow banding, sometimes an orange tail? That's likely a bumble bee, a different nest and a different call. See bumble bee removal and relocation.
Why spraying instead of honey bee removal makes the problem worse
This is the call I get after the fact. Spraying a colony in a wall kills the bees and leaves everything else where it was. The comb stays. The honey stays. A colony that's been in your wall since spring has real weight of honey above your drywall, and the only reason it stayed put is thousands of bees fanning it, capping it and holding the wax at the right temperature.
With the bees gone, that stops. Wax softens in July heat, honey runs, and it comes through drywall as a dark stain that bleeds back through fresh paint. Then the cleanup crew arrives: ants follow the sugar into your kitchen, wax moths chew through the abandoned comb, and yellow jackets rob out the rest. Old comb holds scent for years, which is part of why a wall that's had bees once gets bees again.
The comb is the job. The bees are the easy part.
- The comb comes out with the bees, not months later through a stain.
- The cavity gets scraped clean, and honey-soaked insulation gets pulled.
- The entry gets sealed, and I check that eave for gaps the same size.
How a honey bee colony comes out of a wall, step by step
This is the order I work in on an established colony. A swarm skips most of it, which is why a swarm is the cheaper call.
- 1
You call or text me a photo or a video
Send a picture or a few seconds of video of the bees and the spot they're using. Either one is enough to work from, and calling to describe it works too.
- 2
I identify it before I leave
I can tell honey bees from bumble bees, and a swarm from an established colony, off a phone photo. That happens before I get in the truck, so you know what kind of visit you need and I arrive with the right equipment on board.
- 3
I quote the job before any work begins
A swarm collection and a wall cutout are different numbers, and you hear yours and agree to it before anything gets opened up. Nothing starts until you have the price.
- 4
I find where the nest actually sits
The hole the bees use and the nest are often a few feet apart, so guessing wastes your siding. I watch the traffic, then tap and listen along the wall until I know where the comb is.
- 5
I open it up so it can go back together
Siding, a soffit board or a section of drywall comes off in a way that closes back up cleanly. I'd rather spend ten minutes on the cut than leave you a repair bigger than the bee work.
- 6
The bees and the comb come out together
Brood comb gets tied into frames so the colony can keep raising young through the move, and the bees go into the box. I'm hunting for the queen the whole time, because without her the move doesn't hold. This is the step that decides whether the colony survives, and a cavity that has to be torn apart to reach doesn't always allow it.
- 7
The cavity gets cleaned and sealed
Leftover comb, honey and soaked insulation come out. The entry gets closed properly, and I check the eave for other gaps a scout would find next spring.
- 8
Where it works, the colony gets a new home
The box goes somewhere the colony can settle and get back to work, and that is the outcome I aim for on every honey bee call. It isn't guaranteed. If the queen is lost or the comb comes apart in a cavity I could barely reach, the colony may not make it, and I would rather you hear that here than be surprised by it on the day.
Sometimes the right answer is to leave the swarm alone
A swarm twenty feet up a tree at the back of the yard, nowhere near a door, with nobody in the house who's allergic, is not an emergency. A swarm is a colony splitting in two with no nest to defend, so it's worth giving space. Every bee in that cluster left home with a full stomach and nothing behind it to guard, and the bees flying loops around it are scouts out house hunting, not guards. The scouts pick a spot and move everyone on, often within a day or two, and that costs you nothing. Call me if it's beside a door, over a walkway, in the kids' play area, if someone there is allergic, or if it's still hanging there on day three, because by then they're building comb where they sit.
When honey bee swarm calls and wall colony calls happen around Portland, Oregon
Honey Bees run on an annual cycle, and the month you're calling in mostly decides whether you have a swarm, a young colony or a heavy one.
- March to May
Swarm season opens
A colony that outgrew its home splits, and half of it leaves with the old queen. That's a swarm, and this is when most of them land in Portland yards. It's also when scouts are checking your soffit vents.
- May to July
Swarms plus brand new colonies
Swarms are still moving, and the ones that got into a wall in April are building comb fast. A colony caught in June is a far smaller job than the same colony in September.
- August to October
Fewer swarms, heavier colonies
Swarm calls drop off. Wall colonies are at their biggest and most defensive, with honey stored for winter. This is also peak yellow jacket season, and plenty of bee calls turn out to be yellow jackets.
- November to February
Quiet outside, still occupied inside
The colony is clustered in your wall, eating through its honey. A cold weather cutout is hard on the bees, so unless it's urgent I'd rather book you for spring and seal empty cavities now.
Same-day service is available across the Portland metro when my schedule allows, and swarms get priority.
What honey bee removal costs in Portland, Oregon, and what changes the number
I'd rather explain what moves the number than make you book a visit to find it out. There is no flat rate on honey bee work, because a swarm on a low branch and a cutout through a second-storey soffit are different days entirely. I quote before I start, and where your job lands comes down to four things.
Pricing
You get a quote before any work begins
Call or message me for a quote. Send a photo to (206) 817-7782 and I can usually price it without a visit.
Call or text (206) 817-7782Swarm or established colony
A swarm on a low branch is the cheapest call I run. A colony that's been in a wall for two seasons is a half day with tools, and the price says so.
How hard it is to reach, and what has to come apart
Chest height off the ground is quick. A second story soffit, a steep roofline, or a chimney chase is not. I tell you what I need to open before I open it.
How long they've been in there
Comb volume tracks time. A colony that moved in three weeks ago is small. One that's been through a summer brings honey weight and stained insulation.
How much you book at once
Wall colony plus a couple of wasp nests on the same property? Book them together and I'll discount the rate. Same trip, same ladder.
I quote before I start, so you're deciding with the number in front of you. If you'd rather stop thinking about the next one, Complete Insect Protection runs quarterly visits with free priority emergency visits in between, and it is offered to West Linn, Lake Oswego and Oregon City clients only.
What to do right now if there are honey bees on your property
Keep people and pets back and leave the entrance alone. Don't plug the hole, don't spray it, don't hit it with a hose. A blocked entrance sends a colony looking for another way out, and that route sometimes runs into the living room.
Then send me a photo. I'm a Licensed Commercial Pesticide Operator based in West Linn, and I cover the whole Portland metro for one-time work, same day when my schedule allows. For a honey bee colony the first thing I reach for isn't a product at all, it's a box and a ladder.
If you're looking at something else entirely, that's fine too. Bee and beehive control covers every bee I work with here, and I'd rather point you at the right page than sell you the wrong visit. Call or text (206) 817-7782.
- Leave the entrance open and unsprayed until I get there.
- Note where the bees actually go in, then photograph the bees and the spot.
- Say so if anyone in the house is allergic, and I'll move you up the schedule.
Google reviews
What Portland, Oregon homeowners say after the job
5.0 from 25 Google reviews
Read them on GoogleSam came out the day after I called and had predicted the situation correctly when we chatted on the phone. He was able to get rid of the yellow jackets and even helped with an ant issue we had. Super nice and knowledgeable!
Erin Dhruva Great service, fast response!
Alex Ramberg Sam was great. He was able to come out same day and take care of the yellow jackets living in our siding. He's efficient and professional. Highly recommend!
Susan Thomsen Before calling Sam, I was told by a “professional” Pest service that the infiltrators getting through my siding were honeybees. The bees were quite visible through my window, but we’re misidentified. Fortunately, I called Sam and he corr...
Patty Rissberger I called Sam to help with a yellow jacket hive in an exterior wall of my house. He communicated quickly over text, made an appointment for the same day, arrived when he said he would, and answered all of the questions I had. He treated t...
Sarah H Sam was great. He ended up coming the same day and removing a yellow jacket nest for us. I would highly recommend him to anyone!!
Tori Phillps From start to finish Sam was professional and easy to work with, he was knowledgeable and friendly and well prepared! It was a much more enjoyable experience to work with Sam than calling a big named exterminator. Sam was honest and fair...
Tamsyn Cox Sam was great! Successful wasp removal, easy communication, quick work. Would call again if needed.
Jen P Sam was outstanding to work with! We had a huge hive return to a spot in our attic that had been previously cleared a year earlier. I called Sam on a Tuesday and he came out the next morning! He worked quickly and efficiently to remove t...
Brian Odell I called Sam and was on a job and about done for the day and I explained my situation and he went out of his way and gave me a time he would be here and he was right on time. Did a Sunday removal of a wasps nest on my front porch and onc...
Michael puderbaugh Called Sam and he answered right away. He was able to come out within a few hours and took care of a large yellow jacket nest that had been built in a fern bush next to my driveway where we walk to get into the back gate and garage. He w...
Diana Lu Sam arrived quickly, day of, to save us from an aggressive hornets nest. Sam knew exactly the hornet before even having eyes on it and was communicative and helpful. The experience was much easier than trying to deal with some others in...
Katheryn Hayward We discovered a wasp nest in a planter in our back yard yesterday (and got stung 3 times, ouch!) and called Sam this morning. He was able to come out a few hours later and eradicate the nest. He was thoughtful, knowledgeable, and just a...
Hans Nolf Sam was awesome! Our Tennant texted us late Sunday night stating her heard buzzing in the walls, and Sam was able to come take a look the next day! He is clearly very knowledgeable and gave us quite a bit of information. Extremely kind a...
Megan Delmore Sam was super friendly and worked very efficiently to remove a huge colony of yellow jackets from our soffit…..which was 16 feet off the ground! Recommend very highly, worth every penny!
Laurie Kunert Fantastic service, Timely, Professional, Friendly, Easy to work with, Great value for the price, Good communication. Bye bye yellow jackets!
Scott Klees I had an urgent need at my work location. I texted Sam at 3:30pm. He replied within the hour. We made a plan for meeting to survey and treat the situation. He was on site by 6:15 and done working by 7:00pm. 5 stars for communication, for...
Patrick Clark A+++++! We were so relieved to find Sam the Bee Man! After an unsuccessful removal by a different bee pro, we were feeling helpless until I found Sam. Not all bee experts have the skill to cut into a structure, but Sam does. He used a he...
Jennifer Stafford Professional and friendly to work with. Great communicator and very knowledgeable. Would strongly recommend for any pest control or be removal services. If you have a wasp, they also specialize in that.
Detail Maestro Sam came out the same day I contacted him, and was able to quickly find and remove a yellow jacket nest. He also was able to talk to me about options for treating ants in my backyard, offering varying levels of treatment that felt most...
Ali C I had a bee problem. I messaged Sam this morning at 8:30am. He responded by 8:46am and was at my building by 1pm. Sam is highly knowledgeable and extremely thoughtful. His approach to bee management is taking into account the safety of t...
Nadine Stanton Sam is so knowledgable and is a godsend to us for keeping the ants and spiders away in our home. His membership model is super valuable and reasonably priced and perfect for our needs. He's also just super friendly and takes his time to...
Veronica McOmie Sam's my new pest control go to man. I had a HUGE ant issue in the primary bathroom. Sam came out the same day I called. He assessed the situation, determined the entry point and provided options for getting rid of them. I have signed...
M R Sam was great. When I had a bumble bee hive in my garage, he came out the same day and was able to relocate the hive to a safer location.
ryan spooner Great experience with Sam the Bee Man! Professional and thorough. Highly recommend!
Jessica Reed
Call or Text (206) 817-7782
For the quickest response to your bee, wasp, or pest concern.
Common questions
Common questions about honey bee removal in Portland, Oregon
How much does honey bee removal cost in Portland?
Call or message me for a quote. A swarm on a low branch sits at the bottom end. A colony inside a wall costs more, because it's carpentry, bee work and cleanup in one visit. Text a photo to (206) 817-7782 and I'll price it off the picture.
There's a giant ball of bees in my tree, what is it?
That's a swarm: a colony that split in two, with half the bees out looking for a new home. They have no nest to defend and they aren't aggressive. Keep your distance, don't spray it, and text me a photo. Away from foot traffic, it may move on by itself.
Will honey bees in my wall leave on their own?
No. Once they've built comb, they're home. They'll overwinter in the wall and keep growing next spring. The only thing time changes is how much comb and honey is in there, which is why a colony caught in May is a cheaper, cleaner job than the same colony in September.
Can I just spray the bees in my wall?
You can, and I'd ask you not to. The bees die, the comb and honey stay in the wall, and with nobody left to keep it cool it ferments, leaks through the drywall and draws ants and wax moths. Getting the comb out is the actual job.
Do you kill honey bees or relocate them?
I try to save them, and honey bees are the service where that most often works out. A swarm goes straight into a hive box and that one is nearly always a success. A wall colony gets cut out with its brood comb so it has a chance of being rehomed intact, but it is a harder job and the outcome depends on reaching the queen and getting enough comb out in one piece. Some colonies can't be saved. Where that's the case I explain why before I do anything, not after.
How fast can you get out for a bee swarm?
Same-day across the Portland metro when my schedule allows, and swarms get priority because they leave on their own timeline. A swarm that's been hanging for three days is often committed to building comb right where it is, which turns a quick rescue into a messier removal.
How do I know if it's honey bees or yellow jackets?
Honey bees are golden brown and fuzzy, and they carry pollen on their back legs. Yellow Jackets are bright yellow and black, smooth and quick, and they're the ones interested in your burger. Bees at a knothole are a bee call. Yellow Jackets in the ground are a different visit.
Do you have to open my wall to remove the bees?
To do it right, yes. There's no way to get the comb and honey out without opening the cavity, and leaving them is what creates the second problem. I open the smallest area that reaches the nest, and I tell you what's coming off before it comes off.
What happens to the honey bees after you take them?
They go into a hive box and out to a spot where the colony can settle and get back to work, with the brood comb tied into frames so they keep raising young. OSU Extension's residential beekeeping guidelines are the standard I keep in mind for where a rescued colony lands.
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