The Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bee Removal Company

Bee removal companies differ in one decisive way: some remove the colony and the comb, and some spray the visible insects. The difference shows up months later, when the cavity gets reoccupied. These ten questions reveal which kind you are calling.

Do you remove the colony or exterminate it?

Ask whether they remove the colony or exterminate it, and ask first. Removal extracts the bees, the comb and the honey, then seals the cavity. Extermination kills the visible insects and leaves the comb inside the wall, where it keeps leaking and attracts the next swarm.

A company that only sprays will say so if asked directly. For honey bees, relocation to a beekeeper is the standard answer from an operator who does structural work.

Will you inspect before quoting?

A quote given over the phone is a guess. Colony location drives the price far more than colony size, and location cannot be assessed remotely. Insist on an on-site inspection before any figure is agreed.

Ask whether the inspection is free. Ours is, and one customer review specifically contrasts that with competitors: “Everyone else i called wanted to quote before looking at the job.”

How will you locate the colony?

Ask how the company finds a colony inside a wall. Thermal imaging locates the cluster behind drywall or siding without opening the structure first, which keeps the opening small and the repair minimal.

Guessing where to cut produces a larger hole and a larger repair bill.

Will you open the structure, and will you close it back up?

Ask both halves of the question. A colony inside a wall requires opening the cavity. The company that opens it reinstates the siding, soffit or roofing afterwards.

Confirm who is responsible for the repair before booking. A quote that covers extraction but not reinstatement leaves you finding a carpenter.

Who will actually carry out the work?

Ask whether the person quoting is the person working. Larger operators quote through a salesperson and dispatch whichever crew is free, so the person who assessed your wall is not the person who opens it.

An owner-operator inspects, quotes and does the work, which keeps the assessment and the execution in the same pair of hands.

What guarantee comes with the work?

Ask what happens if the bees return. A guarantee states a period and covers a return visit at no charge. Get the terms in writing rather than as a verbal assurance.

Can I see photographs of comparable jobs?

Ask for images of completed work, particularly the reinstatement. Photographs of an opened wall, the comb removed and the surface closed back up show the standard of finish you are buying.

Our gallery shows removals in progress, and four customer reviews describe receiving photographs throughout the job.

What does the price include?

A complete price includes every stage. Ask what the figure covers. A complete quote includes inspection, extraction, comb removal, cavity cleaning, sealing and reinstatement. A low quote often excludes the last three.

Published ranges give you a reference point. The bee removal cost guide sets out ours by service type.

How soon can you attend?

Ask about timing, and say if anyone on the property has a sting allergy. A colony near a doorway or play area warrants same-day attendance rather than a slot next week.

What should I do before you arrive?

Before we arrive, do nothing to the nest. Ask the company for pre-visit instructions. The correct answer is to leave the nest alone. Spraying it, knocking it down or blocking the entry hole makes the colony defensive and drives it deeper into the structure.

Frequently asked questions

What does a bee removal company charge?

A bee removal company charges $150 to $350 for an exterior hive and $350 to $750 or more for a colony inside a wall or attic. Species, access and colony size set the figure.

How long does a removal take?

An exterior hive takes one to two hours. A structural removal takes four to eight hours, because the cavity has to be opened, cleared, cleaned, sealed and closed back up.

Are the methods safe around pets and children?

Yes, where the operator applies targeted products directly to the nest rather than broadcasting them. Ask how products are applied, and keep children and pets indoors during the work.

Can I stop bees coming back?

Yes. Sealing the entry point and removing the pheromone residue prevents reoccupation. Bee prevention services extend that treatment across the rest of the structure.