How much does bee removal cost?
How much does bee removal cost?
$125 – $1,000 average bee removal cost
Bee removal cost
Bee removal costs $125 to $1,000 on average. Beehive removal costs $200 to $1,500 with relocation. A bee exterminator costs $275 to $1,000 when relocation isn't possible. The total cost for bee removal depends on the bee species, colony size, and accessibility of the hive.
| National average cost | $550 |
| Minimum cost | $75 |
| Maximum cost | $1,600 |
| Average range | $125 to $1,000 |
Many people use "hive" and "nest" interchangeably when referring to where bees make their home, but they are two different things. A beehive is technically a man-made structure built specifically to house bees, while a nest is a natural structure built by the bees themselves.
Cost for bee removal by type
The cost for bee removal depends on the bee type:
| Bee type | Average cost to remove |
|---|---|
| Honeybees & bumble bees | $125 – $1,000 |
| Carpenter bees | $200 – $850 |
| Africanized killer bees | $375 – $1,600 |
Honeybees and bumble bees
Both bumble bee and honeybee removal cost $125 to $1,000 for relocation, depending on the colony size. Beekeepers value honeybees the most since they form larger nests that produce much more quality honey than bumble bees. These species are both non-aggressive, which is why they have lower removal costs.
Carpenter bees
Carpenter bee removal costs $200 to $850 on average for relocation. These bees rarely sting, but the removal process can be challenging because of the damage they cause. Carpenter bees bore holes into wood that cause structural damage over time. Fees increase for roof repairs.
Carpenter bees are larger than honeybees and have smaller nests that produce much less honey.
Africanized killer bees
Killer bees, also known as Africanized honeybees, cost $375 to $1,600 for removal by extermination or relocation. These bees don't cause structural damage but pose major health risks as they are the most aggressive bee type. This species thrives in hot climates and has spread to several Southern states.
Killer bees pursue people for to up to a mile or more and attack in much larger swarms than the average bee. Don't try to remove their nest without professional assistance.
Relocation vs. bee extermination cost
Relocating bees is cheaper than bee extermination when a local beekeeper can easily access the nest outdoors. Extermination is a last-resort method or typically only for aggressive species like Africanized killer bees.
Beehive removal by relocation
Bee nest removal costs $200 to $1,500 on average to move an established nest, excluding swarms. Fees vary depending on the nest's location. Removal of bees by relocation is the ethical choice. Beekeepers relocate bees safely, preserving the hive and ecosystem.
Common beehive removal costs by location are:
Easy outdoor jobs with no ladder required cost $200 to $250 minimum.
Removing a hive in walls on the first floor costs $300 to $1,500, including cleanup and resealing the wall.
Complex jobs cost $1,500 to $2,200 for 2nd-story work, multiple nests, or an attic infestation with 2 to 3 service visits and vacuuming cleanup.
Bee extermination cost
Bee extermination costs $275 to $1,000 with cleanup, depending on the infestation size. This method is for killer bees or when relocation isn't possible. Since preserving bees is crucial for agriculture sustainability, many pest control companies will call a beekeeper instead.
Call your local wildlife department first to verify if any state laws apply for bee protection.
Bee swarm removal and relocation
Bee swarm removal costs $125 to $200 on average, or it's sometimes free if a nearby beekeeper can easily access them. A swarm is a group of traveling bees that hasn't built a nest yet because they're looking for a new home. Swarms are easily removable through trapping and relocation.
Act promptly to relocate swarms before they establish a nest in a few days.
Cost factors for bee removal
Common cost factors for bee removal include:
Inspection – Hiring a professional for hive assessment costs $75 to $100, depending on how far they drive to reach you and the complexity of the infestation.
Age of the hive – A hive less than 1 to 2 weeks old is very small and underdeveloped, making it easy to remove. The longer the bees remain, the more the nest becomes strongly attached to the building and costs more to remove.
Removal type – Prices vary based on the removal method, with relocation typically being more cost-effective than extermination.
Bee type – Some bee species like killer bees require specialized handling due to their aggressive nature, which raises overall labor costs.
Hive location – A hive on a second or third story of the home that requires a ladder or cherry-picker truck to access costs extra to take down. A nest inside the walls or attic also costs more for the various repairs required.
Size of the hive – Larger hives require more effort and time to remove, affecting the total cost. The professional will also check for multiple hives to ensure the colony doesn't regroup elsewhere.
Geographic location – Costs vary based on regional beekeeper or specialist rates in your area.
Emergency – Urgent removal services or after-hours calls typically have additional call-out fees.
Debris disposal – Removing the nest typically also requires collecting debris around it, and that service adds extra disposal fees of $50 to $90.
Bee damage repairs
The most expensive repairs are typically repairing roof overhangs when wood-boring carpenter bees have put holes into the wooden beams.
Other variable prices for repairs after removing a bee's nest include:
Ceiling repair costs $200 to $500.
Drywall repair costs $200 to $750.
Deck repair costs $750 to $2,500.
Soffit and fascia repair costs $9 to $34 per linear foot.
Siding repair costs $2 to $14 per square foot.
Fence repair costs $250 to $750.
Replacing the drip edge costs $5 to $9 per linear foot.
Roof repair costs $150 to $1,000 for minor repairs.
Hiring a chimney sweep costs $150 to $375 for cleaning out bee-nest debris.
Related services
Scheduling multiple exterminations simultaneously is more cost effective.
Additional extermination fees include:
Wasp removal costs $300 to $700 on average.
A pest inspection costs $50 to $200.
Pest control costs $250 to $600 for a one-time extermination visit.
Termite control costs $225 to $2,500 per treatment.
Bed bug extermination costs $300 to $500 per room.
Ant extermination costs $200 to $300 per treatment.
A cockroach exterminator costs $100 to $600.
Bee removal FAQs
Do I need bee removal?
You need bee removal if:
You have a bee nest near places often occupied by people or pets.
Dead bees appear inside your home, which could indicate they live in the walls.
Sounds of humming come from the walls.
Drywall, ceilings, or floors begin bulging and developing stains.
Honey leaks down from the chimney or roof eaves.
You find sawdust or bored holes in wooden beams, which can signal carpenter bees.
Do bees come back after hive removal?
Some bees do come back after hive removal if they can't find another queen bee. Most of the time, these straggler bees leave on their own after 1 to 2 weeks or die within that time. A bee removal specialist can return to relocate any straggler bees.
Fortunately, bees won't build a new nest together without another queen bee, so these solitary bees are unlikely to create property damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover bee removal?
Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover bee removal unless you have a plan that includes pest control. Insurance companies believe it's the property owner's responsibility to drive bees away before they have time to build a nest and cause greater damage.
Does the city remove beehives?
The city wildlife departments will remove beehives, but only if they are on public property such as in parks or city-owned meters and utility boxes. The city isn't legally allowed to remove bees from private property in most cases.
Will beekeepers remove bees for free?
Beekeepers will sometimes remove a new swarm of bees for free if they are outside the home and accessible without a ladder. However, if bees have been there for more than a week and built honeycombs, the work takes more time and typically won't be free.
Call local beekeepers who are the closest to you because someone who has to drive a long distance to your property is the least likely to do it for free.
Who do I call for bee removal?
Call these professionals for bee removal:
Wildlife removal companies
Local beekeepers
Bee protection associations
Local honey sellers
Pest control companies (if the bees are killer bees or pose serious problems)
Getting estimates from bee removers
Before hiring a bee removal service near you, be sure to:
Get quotes from 3 businesses with 5+ years of experience.
Confirm they have proper licensing and insurance for bee removal services.
Read their ratings from Google and HomeGuide.
Confirm their pest control certification if they plan to spray pesticides.
Avoid the lowest prices that may indicate subpar services.
Keep a copy of their service agreements, warranties, and itemized quote.
Withhold the final payment until the job is complete.
Questions to ask
Decide who to hire by asking companies these questions first:
How many years have you been removing bees?
What type of bees are you specialized in removing?
Which methods do you use to remove bees and ensure they do not return?
Can you keep my family and pets safe during the removal process?
How do you handle the possible damage to the property during the removal?
Will you use humane, eco-friendly methods to move bees instead of killing them?
Can you remove the nest as well so that it won't attract other bees?
Do you provide a guarantee on your services in case the bees come back?
How long will the bee removal process take from start to finish?
What should I do before, during, and after the bee removal process?
Can you provide references from your past clients?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.