Should I call an exterminator or a beekeeper for honey bees?

Call a live bee removal service first. An exterminator kills the bees and usually leaves the comb and honey in the wall. Live removal takes the bees and the comb, relocates the colony when it can be moved safely, and seals the entry.

Why is leftover comb a problem?

Honey and wax left in a wall melt, stain, smell, and attract ants, roaches, rodents, and new swarms. Heat and humidity around League City and Houston make it worse once the bees are dead.

Do you kill honey bees?

No. Honeybee Removal does live removal, not extermination. We collect the bees and comb, look for the queen, and move the colony away from your property when it can be moved safely.

The bees were already sprayed. Can you still help?

Yes. A colony that has been sprayed or is badly damaged may not survive, but we still remove the comb and seal the entry so it doesn't rot in the wall or draw a new swarm.

How much does live bee removal cost?

It depends on whether it is a swarm or an established hive, where the colony is, height and access, and how much opening and repair is needed. Send photos and we will give you a range, then a firm price before any work starts.

Live Bee Removal vs Exterminator

For honey bees, call a live bee removal service before an exterminator. An exterminator kills the bees and usually leaves the comb and honey inside the wall, where it can melt, stain, smell, and attract ants, roaches, rodents, and the next swarm. Live removal takes out the bees and the comb, relocates the colony when it can be moved safely, and seals the entry so bees don't move back in. Honeybee Removal does live removal across League City and Greater Houston. Call 281-910-5864 any hour or send photos through the quote form.

Call 281-910-5864 Request removal

Honey bee comb close-up from a Greater Houston removal — Comb like this stays in the wall when bees are only sprayed.

Side by side

Exterminator

Live removal

The bees

Exterminator: Killed

Live removal: Removed alive and relocated when the colony can be moved safely

The comb and honey

Exterminator: Usually left in the wall

Live removal: Cut out and removed

What's left behind

Exterminator: Comb that can melt, stain, smell, and draw pests and new swarms

Live removal: Area cleaned, what we opened is closed

The entry point

Exterminator: Often left open

Live removal: Sealed or screened so bees don't move back in

You can kill the bees. You can't kill the comb.

Pounds of honey and wax left in a wall melt, stain, smell, and attract ants, roaches, rodents, and the next swarm. Coastal heat and humidity around League City make that worse once the bees are dead. A real removal takes the colony and the comb.

Already sprayed?

Call anyway. A colony that has been sprayed or is badly damaged may not survive, but we still remove the comb so it doesn't rot in the wall. Tell us on the form what was sprayed and when.

When it's not honey bees

We remove honey bees. If you have wasps, yellowjackets, or hornets, that's a pest control job. Not sure? Send a photo and we'll tell you.

What to do right now

Keep people and pets away from the entrance.
Don't spray, fog, or seal the hole - sealed bees chew toward light, often into a room.
Take a photo of the entrance and the whole wall or tree.
Call 281-910-5864 or send photos through the quote form.

Live removal questions

Should I call an exterminator or a beekeeper for honey bees?: Call a live bee removal service first. An exterminator kills the bees and usually leaves the comb and honey in the wall. Live removal takes the bees and the comb, relocates the colony when it can be moved safely, and seals the entry.
Why is leftover comb a problem?: Honey and wax left in a wall melt, stain, smell, and attract ants, roaches, rodents, and new swarms. Heat and humidity around League City and Houston make it worse once the bees are dead.
Do you kill honey bees?: No. Honeybee Removal does live removal, not extermination. We collect the bees and comb, look for the queen, and move the colony away from your property when it can be moved safely.
The bees were already sprayed. Can you still help?: Yes. A colony that has been sprayed or is badly damaged may not survive, but we still remove the comb and seal the entry so it doesn't rot in the wall or draw a new swarm.
How much does live bee removal cost?: It depends on whether it is a swarm or an established hive, where the colony is, height and access, and how much opening and repair is needed. Send photos and we will give you a range, then a firm price before any work starts.