Bee Removal Cost: Average Prices & Cost Factors

Bee removal covers several different jobs that share one name. A single swarm resting on a fence is a short visit. A colony living inside a wall cavity, soffit, or chimney takes longer, may involve opening up the structure, and can leave damage that needs repair afterward. Most of the spread in published prices comes from which of those situations the homeowner is in.

The numbers here come from two published cost guides and carry a check date of Oct 13, 2026. Price depends on the species, the size of the colony, where it sits, and whether the company relocates the bees or exterminates them. The tables below break each factor out so you can find the case closest to yours.

Species matters because it changes both the method and the risk. Carpenter bees drill into wood, bumble bees nest in the ground or in cavities, and honey bees build large combs that can sit hidden for months. Africanized honey bees defend their nests more aggressively, which is why that row sits higher in the table.

Honey bees show the widest range, from $75 up to $2,000. The low end is usually an exposed hive that is easy to reach. The high end tends to be a large colony built inside a structure. A swarm is cheaper than an established hive because the bees have not yet built comb, and the guide lists swarm jobs at $125 – $200.

Hive size is the second big driver. A small hive takes one visit and little equipment. A large hive means more time, more people on the job, and sometimes cutting into drywall or siding to reach the comb. Lawn Love lists the averages below.

The jump from a medium hive at $450 to a large one at $1,170 reflects how much harder it is to get at bees that have settled deep inside a building.

Many local beekeepers will move a honey bee colony instead of destroying it. Some do it for free when the hive is easy to reach, since the bees have value to them. Extermination by a pest control company is the other route, and it is the more common choice for aggressive species or for nests in places a beekeeper cannot reach.

Extermination is listed at $100 – $800, while swarm removal averages $140. Ask any company what it does with the bees. Relocation is often preferred when it is possible, but it is not always safe or practical for a hive inside a wall.

• Location. A nest on a low branch is cheap to reach. A nest in a chimney, attic, or second-story wall needs ladders, protective gear, and more time.
• Colony size. More bees and more comb mean more labor and more cleanup.
• Species. Aggressive species and ground nesters can need different equipment or treatment.
• Access to the structure. If a technician has to open a wall or ceiling to remove comb, expect carpentry on top of the removal.
• Method. Live relocation, extermination, and comb removal are priced differently.
• Timing. Companies may charge more for same-day or emergency calls, especially if people are being stung.

Two guides can describe the same job and land on different totals. One may be built around a typical homeowner call, while another folds in larger hives, wall access, or repairs. Some figures also treat free beekeeper relocation as a zero, which pulls the low end down.

Compare the ranges rather than the midpoints. This Old House gives a narrow band with a low average, while Lawn Love reports a wider spread that reaches higher. The gap suggests the second figure includes more complicated jobs. Neither number replaces a quote for your property.

Removing the bees does not always end the job. Comb and honey left inside a wall can attract other pests and stain surfaces, and bees that nested in a ceiling or deck may have damaged the material around them. Repair costs are separate from removal and are usually billed by a contractor, not the pest company.

Ask the removal company whether it will clean out the comb as part of the visit. Comb left behind can draw other pests later.

Stinging insects can be dangerous, especially for anyone with a bee sting allergy. Do not try to knock down, burn, or spray a hive yourself. If you have an active colony on your property, keep children and pets away from the area and call a licensed pest pro or a local beekeeper. If anyone has been stung and has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness, call 911.

To find a beekeeper who removes colonies, try your county extension office or a local beekeeping association. They often keep lists of members who handle swarms and hives.

• Is the quote for removal only, or does it include comb cleanup and sealing the entry point?
• Will the bees be relocated or exterminated?
• Is any repair work included, or will I need a separate contractor?
• Is the company licensed and insured for work in my state?
• Is there a guarantee if bees return to the same spot?

Getting two or three written quotes helps, and the entry point matters. If it is not sealed after removal, a new swarm can move into the same cavity later.