bees-high-up-in-buildingWorking with bees and being able to save swarms and hives is a great feeling. What makes it feel so great? Well for starters we have a bee clinic where we are able to relocate the bees. We are also able to remove most of our swarms and small hives without the use of pesticide. Our proudest moments come when we are able to solve a customers’ bee issue, while removing the bees humanely.  Since we can’t save the bees on all jobs, we take great pride in those where we are able to remove them safely alive.

Most of the blogs and videos we release are videos of our proudest moments, where we save the bees. This one is a little different. This is a blog about why some bee removal jobs are not able to be removed live.

A large percentage of our customers who call us for bee removal, want the bees removed live. Unfortunately we are not always able to accommodate that wish. Largely due to where the bees have made their hive and the location they have invaded. So with that in mind, here are the top 5 situations when we need to eliminate the bees during an attempted rescue.

1. Granite boulders

This is a regular occurrence here in San Diego…especially in East County. Large boulders and rocks are often unmovable without a crane. Even with earth moving equipment, live removals are usually not possible because the bees are unreachable.

2. Knotholes of a trees

It is very difficult to humanely remove bees from inside the knothole of a tree, without killing the tree. Usually the knothole of a tree is not large enough to capture the bees and remove the hive. Its also very hard to clean honey out the interior of a tree.

3. Brick or cinder block walls

These types of walls typically require power tools to break them open. Often times the weight of the bricks will crush the bees and the hive during the demolition process.

4. In a pole

This happens all the time. Flag poles, street signs, and light poles. Not much you can do about it, except an elimination.

5. Aggressive Africanized bees

Public safety always takes precedence over saving the bees. When in doubt of the safety in any bee situation, safety will always come first.

So there you have it. The top 5 reasons you may need to eliminate bees.

Got a suggestion on how to perform live removal on any of the following above? Share your words of wisdom below.