Swarm Removal

PLEASE READ: Every year we get many calls about swarms of bees that are actually wasps. Review the pictures to properly identify bees and wasps. We can NOT assist with wasp removal. If “bees” are in a nest they are most likely wasps. If the “bees” are in a wall there is a good chance they are wasps and a close up photo of the insect is required for identification before a club member will make a trip.

These are Honey Bees

Honey bee on pink flower
Photo courtesy of: Bob Michiels
Honey bee on flower
Photo courtesy of: Dave Elsen
Honey bee on yellow flower
Honey bee on yellow flower

This is what a honey bee swarm looks like

Bee Swarm
Photo courtesy of: Wayne Steigelman
Photo courtesy of: Carl Fisher
Photo courtesy of: Jim Sharp

These are NOT bees! Common type of wasps:  Hornet and Yellow jackets

and their nests

Paper like wasp’s nest
Paper like wasp’s nest

When honey bees swarm they are in the process of dividing the colony in two. And that’s a good thing! However, when they are in your backyard it can be scary. Don’t get overly concerned – honey bees are generally very docile when swarming. Watch a Swarm Capture.

Before calling please ensure your insects are honey bees and not wasps and have the answers, as best you can, to the following questions.

  1. How long has the swarm been there?
  2. Where are the bees currently located and what are they in.  More detail is better.
  3. How far is the swarm off the ground?
  4. How big is the swarm using rough dimensions?
  5. Can you take a picture and send it?
  6. Have you done anything to the swarm? Sprayed it or disturbed it in any way?

Club members willing to remove swarms of honey bees (not wasps), serving Northeast Wisconsin:

  • Chris DeWolfe 920-634-6864 (within 30 minutes of Green Bay)
  • Jim Sharp 972-523-3159 (Howard area, text a picture)
  • Carl Fisher 920-497-4629 (text a picture of the swarm)
  • Todd Witthuhn 920-899-3734 (Southern Oconto, Northern Outagamie and Eastern Shawano Counties)
  • Dave Elsen 920-370-5281 (Howard / Suamico area)
  • Dan Eichman 920-371-1276 or 920-606-8392 (ask for Dan)
  • Jeff Schroeder 920-412-0340 (located in Seymour)
  • James Arvey 920-639-4353 (East Green Bay only)
  • Rance Bennett 920-410-2329 (Winnebago County)
  • HONEY BEES IN WALLS: Jeff Mayerl 715-853-2033
  • BUMBLE BEES: Contact Julie Mazzoleni 312-402-1059 (Green Bay) – scroll down for more information

Beekeepers may ask for a fee if they arrive and the bees are other than honeybees.

Bumblebees – are good pollinators and need to be preserved. It is best to leave the nest alone (they generally live in the ground) but if you believe you have a bumblebee nest that needs to be relocated please contact Julie Mazzoleni 312-402-1059 (She is in Green Bay).

Bumble bee nest
Bumblebee – large and furry
Bumblebee