Free · State beekeeper swarm lists · Live removal
A ball of bees on a branch? Call a beekeeper.
Most swarms are gentle and many beekeepers collect them for little or nothing. Pick your state for the official swarm list, or use the identifier to tell a swarm from a hive or wasps.
Under most circumstances, honey bee swarms are not dangerous.
Delaware Dept. AgExposed swarms typically leave within 24 to 48 hours while scouts choose a new nesting site.
USDA ARSThe American Beekeeping Federation links to bee removal lists for every U.S. state.
ABFSwarm lists by state
Beekeeper swarm lists in every state
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Why it matters
Do not spray a swarm.
A swarm is a honey bee colony between homes: half the bees and the old queen, clustered while scouts search for a new cavity. With no comb to defend, swarms are usually calm, and they often move on within a day or two. Spraying kills pollinators and can leave a mess of dead bees, or provoke the cluster.
Calling quickly matters. A beekeeper can collect a swarm on a branch in minutes, but once bees move into a wall or roof, removal becomes a cutout job that costs real money. Our state pages link the official swarm lists that beekeeping associations maintain, often sorted by county.
Guides
Plain answers, sourced
What to do when you see a honey bee swarm
What to do when you see a honey bee swarm: how to stay safe, tell a swarm from a hive, and find local beekeeper or bee removal help.
Read →A swarm vs. an established hive: why it matters
Learn how to tell a temporary honey bee swarm from an established hive, why the difference matters, and when to call a beekeeper or removal specialist.
Read →Honey bees, wasps or yellowjackets? How to tell
Learn how to tell honey bees from wasps and yellowjackets by body shape, hair, nest type, and behavior, plus what to do next safely.
Read →Bee cutout and hive removal cost
Bee cutout and hive removal cost explained: when swarm pickup may be free, what drives higher hive-removal bills, and how to compare local quotes.
Read →Why honey bees swarm and when swarm season is
Why honey bees swarm, when swarm season usually happens in different U.S. regions, and what to do if a temporary bee cluster shows up nearby.
Read →Bees in a wall, roof or chimney: what to do
Bees entering a wall, roof or chimney usually mean an established colony. Learn safe next steps, who to call, what to avoid, plus prevention tips after removal.
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