Bee, Wasp & Hornet Removal

Honey bees should be relocated, not killed — wasps and hornets are different. Nest removal methods, timing and realistic costs. Call +1 855 774 7802.

Call now: +1 855 774 7802

The first question with any stinging insect is which one it is, because honey bees and wasps call for opposite responses. Honey bees are ecologically important and can usually be relocated by a beekeeper rather than destroyed; wasps and hornets are treated.

The second question is timing. Colonies are small in spring and largest in late summer, so the same nest is a far more dangerous proposition in September than in June.

Bees, Wasps and Hornets

Honey bees

Fuzzy, amber-and-brown, and non-aggressive away from the hive. A colony in a wall void should be assessed for relocation. Killing a colony in a structure without removing the comb is a serious mistake — abandoned honey ferments, attracts other pests and can stain and damage walls.

Bumble bees

Large, round and heavily furred. Nest in small colonies in the ground or in cavities and are generally docile. Often best left alone unless the nest is somewhere unavoidable.

Paper wasps

Slender, with an open umbrella-shaped comb under eaves and railings. Defensive near the nest but not usually aggressive at distance.

Yellow jackets

The most aggressive common species. Nest in the ground or in wall voids, and colonies can reach thousands by late summer. They sting repeatedly and defend the nest vigorously — the species behind most stinging incidents.

Bald-faced hornets

Build large grey papery aerial nests in trees and on structures. Highly defensive within several feet of the nest and a genuine hazard to remove without protective equipment.

How Nests Are Removed

Timed treatment

Nests are treated at dawn or dusk when the colony is inside and least active — both safer and more effective than a daytime attempt.

Direct nest treatment

Product is applied into the nest entrance so returning foragers carry it inside. Aerial nests, ground nests and wall-void nests each need a different technique.

Physical removal

Where accessible, the nest is removed after treatment so it does not attract carpet beetles and other secondary pests as it decays.

Honey bee relocation

Live colonies are referred to a beekeeper where practical. For colonies in wall voids this includes cutting out and removing the comb, which is what prevents the long-term damage.

What bee treatment costs

$150–$600

per nest, depending on access

What moves the price:

Accessibility — nests in wall voids or at height cost more than exposed eaves
Species — yellow jacket ground nests and large hornet nests need more protective work
Whether the nest is physically removed as well as treated
Honey bee removal from a structure, including comb removal, is a specialist job priced accordingly

These are typical national ranges, not quotes. Pricing depends on your property and the severity of the problem.

When Not to Do This Yourself

A small, exposed paper wasp nest early in the season is within reach of a careful DIY treatment with an aerosol rated for the distance.

Yellow jacket nests, bald-faced hornet nests, anything inside a wall void and anything requiring a ladder are not. These colonies defend aggressively, sting repeatedly, and a defensive swarm while you are on a ladder is how people get seriously hurt. Anyone with a known sting allergy should not attempt removal at all.

Common questions

How much does bee or wasp removal cost?

Typically $150–$600 per nest. Exposed nests at ground level sit at the lower end; wall voids, height access and honey bee colony removal with comb extraction sit higher.

Will they come back to the same place?

Wasps do not reuse an old nest, but the location that appealed once usually appeals again. Sealing the cavity or entry point after removal is what prevents a new colony next season.

Do I have to kill honey bees?

Usually not. Many providers will refer a live honey bee colony to a beekeeper for relocation. If a colony is inside a wall, the comb must be removed too — abandoned honey ferments and causes damage and secondary pest problems.

What time of year is worst?

Late summer into early autumn. Colonies reach maximum size, natural food sources decline, and yellow jackets in particular become far more aggressive around people and food.

Get a quote today

Eco First connects you with licensed local exterminators. Tell us what you are seeing and we will match you with a professional in your area.