Why do beekeepers charge for live bee removal?
While it’s true that some hobbyist beekeepers will gleefully remove a colony of bees for free, many beekeepers charge for live bee removal. This inconsistency among beekeepers can create some confusing expectations for homeowners. Unfortunately, it may also result in some unpleasant interactions between the beekeeper and members of the public. So, why do some beekeepers charge while others do not? What should you expect from your local community of beekeepers? Let’s look at some of the misconceptions and unseen costs of rescuing bees.
Misconceptions
People who expect free live bee removal often assume the beekeeper wants the bees, that the task is easy and that those bees will make them honey. Some believe their bees have a value that outweighs the value of the beekeeper’s time and efforts. The truth is that wild bees may have some value, but that it’s difficult to judge right away. Some bee removals are simple, while others can take hours. Some removals will result in a honey harvest, but many will not. A beekeeper who rescues a colony of bees for free is therefore taking a gamble.
Honey
Just because you have a colony of bees, does not mean you have honey. Bee colonies typically need to mature for a full year before honey can be harvested. Even if the colony you want to have removed is mature, the amount of honey they have stored depends on the time of year and their health.
Difficulty Level
Bee removals can be divided into two categories: swarm removal and established colony removal. If the group of bees has just arrived, they are most likely a swarm.
A swarm is only a ball of bees with no comb. If the swarm is easy to get to, then it should be a simple and quick removal. Most beekeepers are capable of swarm removal and many even enjoy the process. It’s fairly common for beekeepers to remove swarms for free.
If the bees have been in the same place for more than a week, you can assume the they are established. The longer the bees have been there, the more comb they will have built and the bigger the colony will be. These kinds of removals require extra skill and knowledge. Especially if the bees have ensconced themselves inside a structure. The process can be messy, exhausting and time consuming with a greater risk of stings. Most beekeepers are not willing to do these types of removal for free.