How Much Does Bee Removal Cost in Southern California?

How much does bee removal cost in Southern California?

Every bee removal is priced after we see the job, because two hives can look the same from the outside and take very different work to remove. A colony that moved into a block wall last week is a short job; a five-year-old hive running the length of a second-story wall is a full day of opening, extracting and repairing. To get an exact price, call or text (626) 487-6052 and send a photo of where the bees are going in.

This page explains what goes into the price, what every live bee removal includes, and how to get an accurate quote quickly.

What affects the price

Factor	Usually costs less	Usually costs more
Where the hive is	Exposed swarm on a branch, fence or bush	Inside a wall, roof, chimney, attic or under a floor
Height and access	Ground level, easy to reach	Second story, steep roof, tight crawl space
How long the bees have been there	A few days to a few weeks	Months or years, with feet of honeycomb
Repairs	No opening needed	Stucco, drywall, roof tile or wood to open and close
Timing	Scheduled visit	Same-day or after-hours emergency

The biggest single factor is whether the bees are out in the open or inside the structure. Once a colony builds comb inside a wall or roof, every piece of honeycomb has to come out, or the honey left behind melts, stains and draws new swarms.

What every removal includes

• Locating the hive with a thermal camera and inspection holes, so we open only what's needed.
• Live removal of the bees, brood and queen. No poison or pesticides.
• Full comb and honey removal, so nothing is left to rot or attract the next swarm.
• Relocation of the colony to a new home instead of killing it.
• Sealing the entry point so bees don't move back in.

Repairs to stucco, drywall, roofing or wood can be added to the same visit, so you don't need a second contractor.

Is bee removal ever free?

No. You'll see ads for "free bee removal," but removing a colony properly costs gas, labor, equipment, insurance and liability coverage, and caring for a rescued colony costs a beekeeper money too. A loose swarm hanging on a branch is usually the simplest and least expensive job we do, but it isn't free. Be careful with anyone offering free removal for a hive inside your walls: it often means the bees are killed and the comb is left behind.

Why extermination usually costs more in the end

Spraying a hive inside a wall kills the bees but leaves pounds of comb and honey in the cavity. Within weeks it can melt through drywall, attract ants and rodents, and draw a new swarm to the same spot. A live removal takes the whole colony out once, which is why it's the cheaper fix over time. Read more about the hidden damage bees can cause.

How to get an accurate quote fast

1. Take a photo or short video of where the bees are flying in and out.
2. Note how high it is (ground, first story, roof) and how long you've seen bees there.
3. Call or text the photo to (626) 487-6052, or use the quote form.

We serve Orange County, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County. See the full list of cities.