Swarm lists by state
West Virginia
West Virginia’s apiary program is run by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, which requires beekeeper registration and publishes a statewide swarm list for residents seeking swarm pickup. The West Virginia Beekeepers Association is the main statewide association, and WVU Extension provides beginner beekeeping guidance tailored to West Virginia conditions.
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
- West Virginia Beekeepers Association
- Typical swarm season
- late April to early June
- Africanized honey bees
- not established
Official resources in West Virginia
Main official apiary page with registration, inspection, entry requirements, swarm help, and state apiarist information.
Online registration page for anyone who possesses bee hives in West Virginia.
Official statewide swarm-removal list with contacts organized by county.
Official statewide beekeeping association site with membership, events, education, and local-club connections.
WVU Extension page explaining how West Virginia beginners obtain bees, including local swarms and splits.
Key facts for West Virginia
- WVDA says West Virginia State Code mandates all beekeepers register with the Department, and the service is free.
- WVDA says inspection services are provided for disease issues and for interstate movement of bees for sale or pollination.
- WVDA lists Shanda King as the State Apiarist on its current Apiary page.
- WVDA publishes an official statewide swarm list residents can use to find swarm-removal contacts by county.
- WVU Extension says West Virginia beginners should schedule bee delivery between the third week of April and first week of June.
- WVDA materials discuss what happens if Africanized honey bees become established, implying they are not currently established in West Virginia.
What to do next
- If you keep hives in West Virginia, register them through the WVDA apiary registration page before the season gets busy.
- If you find a swarm, use the WVDA swarm list first instead of hiring a generic pest-control company.
- If you are buying bees, start contacting West Virginia beekeepers or suppliers in winter so bees are ready for late-April to early-June installation.
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