How much does bee removal cost?

Every job is priced individually. The exact price depends on the colony’s size and how accessible it is. A swarm hanging on a low hanging branch will most likely be my minimum price, while a hive built deep inside a wall takes more work. I always give an honest, upfront quote before starting.

Will anyone remove bees for free?

You might find a first-year beekeeper, a student on summer break, or a hobbyist willing to take an exposed swarm off your hands. However, most bee removal jobs have complications and nuances that only a veteran beekeeper like myself can handle. This is especially true when removing an established hive from inside a tree, wall, attic, or shed. It is as much a construction job as a bee job.

Be cautious of anyone advertising free removal for a hive. Inexperienced handlers often unintentionally leave you with incomplete work, such as partially removed bees, unfinished carpentry, and leftover honeycomb. The worst part, if they fail to completely remove the hive and seal the cavity, the leftover scent acts as a magnet for new bees to return and repopulate the area, not to mention suffering and dying bees. Don’t fall for "free bees." Often, you’ll just end up with headaches from dead, rotting bees and honey left inside your walls. That is an expensive kind of free.

Will homeowners insurance pay for bee removal?

Usually not for the removal itself, but it is worth a phone call. Most policies treat bee removal as maintenance rather than damage. Where it can go your way is the damage. If a colony has been in your wall long enough to soak drywall with honey, stain a ceiling, or attract rodents, some policies will cover those repairs even when they will not cover the removal. It depends on your policy and on whether the insurer sees the problem as sudden or as something left too long. Five minutes with your agent will tell you, and it is another reason to act early, because the longer a colony sits the more it looks like neglect to an insurer.

Do you kill the bees?

No. Sunshine Honey does humane, live removal only. I remove the bees alive and relocate them to a local apiary where they can keep pollinating Ventura County — no chemicals, no pesticides.

What’s the difference between a swarm and a hive?

A swarm is a cluster of bees temporarily resting often on a branch, fence, or wall while scouts look for a permanent home. Swarms are usually easy and cheap to remove if you call quickly. A hive means the bees have moved in and built comb, often inside a wall, attic, or tree, and it requires a cutout that costs more. The lesson: call early, before a swarm becomes a hive.

Will the bees come back after removal?

Not if the job is done right. After removing the colony, I clean out the honeycomb and seal the entry point. Skipping the cleanup is the number-one reason bees return to the same spot, so I don’t skip it.

How fast can you come out?

I aim for same-day or next-day service across Ventura County whenever possible. Swarms can move on within a day or two, so the sooner you text me a photo and address, the better.

Are you insured?

Yes. Sunshine Honey is fully insured, with over 15 years of hands-on beekeeping experience.

Is it dangerous to leave bees in my wall?

It can be. Beyond stings, an established hive can grow heavy with honey, stain walls and ceilings, attract rodents and ants, and damage drywall. Removing them early prevents bigger repairs later.

Do you remove wasps or hornets?

My specialty is honeybees, people mistake them for wasps and hornets constantly. Send me a photo and a description of what you are seeing and I will tell you straight what you have and let you know if I can help.

What areas do you serve?

All of Ventura County. Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Ojai, Oak View, Carpinteria, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Port Hueneme, Newbury Park, and nearby areas.

How do I get a quote?

Text your name, address, when you first saw the bees, and a photo of the bee issue to the number below!