Swarm lists by state
Idaho
Idaho has a large, agriculture-linked beekeeping community, from backyard keepers to commercial operators that move colonies for pollination. The most useful Idaho-specific starting points are the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s apiary program, the Idaho Honey Industry Association, and local swarm-help pages centered in the Treasure Valley. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Swarm or bee removal list
- Official page →
- State beekeepers association
- Idaho Honey Industry Association
- Typical swarm season
- Late April to June
- Africanized honey bees
- not established
Official resources in Idaho
Official state page for registration, inspections, moving bees into Idaho, honey bee health survey, and apiary laws. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
Use this state portal to register apiaries online. ([licensing.isda.idaho.gov](https://licensing.isda.idaho.gov/?utm_source=openai))
Public swarm-help page that explains how to verify a honey bee swarm and report it for local catcher help. ([idabees.org](https://www.idabees.org/swarms.html))
Free University of Idaho Extension service to help residents identify insects before calling a remover. ([uidaho.edu](https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/horticulture/insect-id?utm_source=openai))
State beekeeping association representing commercial and hobbyist beekeepers, with education and conference information. ([idahohoney.org](https://www.idahohoney.org/about.html))
Key facts for Idaho
- Idaho’s bee inspection program is aimed at minimizing bee pests and diseases within the state. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
- Commercial beekeepers with more than 50 colonies must register with ISDA and pay a registration fee plus a honey advertising tax. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
- Beekeepers bringing honey bees into Idaho for winter storage must submit a Temporary Storage Permit to ISDA. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
- Idaho runs a pre-shipment inspection program for colonies moving to California for crop pollination. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
- The Idaho Honey Industry Association says Idaho currently registers over 124,000 colonies of bees. ([idahohoney.org](https://www.idahohoney.org/about.html))
- Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club says swarming is at a zenith in May, with late April also active. ([idabees.org](https://www.idabees.org/uploads/1/2/4/2/124252036/beekeeper_calendar.pdf))
What to do next
- If you find a cluster of bees, first confirm they are honey bees and not wasps or hornets using the UI insect ID page or TVBC’s comparison materials. ([uidaho.edu](https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/horticulture/insect-id?utm_source=openai))
- For an exposed swarm, use TVBC’s swarm page to report it quickly; for bees inside a wall or structure, ask specifically for established-colony removal, not just swarm pickup. ([idabees.org](https://www.idabees.org/swarms.html))
- If you keep bees in Idaho at any scale, review ISDA registration and movement rules before July 1 and before moving colonies across state lines. ([agri.idaho.gov](https://agri.idaho.gov/plant-industries/apiary-program/))
Helpful guides
- What to do when you see a honey bee swarm
- A swarm vs. an established hive: why it matters
- Honey bees, wasps or yellowjackets? How to tell
- Bee cutout and hive removal cost