Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild : Swarm List

Swarm

Not a swarm

Wasp nest hanging in leafless winter tree with vibrant blue sky — This is a hornets nest. In this picture an abandoned nest has been exposed when the leaves fell in the fall. This nest has no occupants and can be safely removed.

IF IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE ONE ON THE LEFT IT’S NOT HONEY BEES

Typically honey bee swarm removal has no cost. The beekeeper will keep the bees as “payment”. Please discuss any extenuating circumstances with the beekeeper. Some of the beekeepers listed below will also remove wasp nests but usually for a fee.

A cut-out happens when honey bee colonies are removed from soffits, roofs, or inside building walls. It is illegal to kill honey bees, and if you kill them without removing them you’ll have a the equivalent of a couple pounds of rotting bees and up to hundreds of pounds of honey in your wall. Cut-outs can be expensive. Fees vary. Please discuss this with your provider. This page lists beekeepers who will do cut outs.

The removal of stinging insects such as hornets and wasps is generally a matter of extermination and handled by pest control companies. These insects are beneficial if they are not harming people please see Penn State Extension guide to whether they should be removed.