Bees swarming or in your wall: what to do right now
A cluster of honey bees on a branch or fence looks alarming, but a swarm is usually calm. Bees living inside a wall are a different problem. In both cases, the key is to stay back and not spray or seal anything.
Do this now
- 1Keep kids and pets indoors or well away from the bees.
- 2Close nearby windows and doors.
- 3From a distance, note whether the bees are hanging in a cluster outside or going in and out of a hole.
- 4Make sure anyone with a sting allergy has their epinephrine auto-injector handy.
- 5For a swarm outside, give it a few hours. It may move on by itself.
- 6For bees going into a wall, call a pro or a beekeeper who does structural removals.
Don't
- Don't spray the bees with insecticide or water.
- Don't seal or plug the hole where bees enter a wall.
- Don't throw things at a swarm or try to knock it down.
- Don't open the wall yourself.
Get help immediately if
- Trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips or throat after a sting: use an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed and call 911.
- Many stings at once, or stings on a small child or older adult: get medical care right away.
- Bees are coming inside through a wall, outlet or light fixture: keep the room closed and get same-day help.
Swarms usually move on
A swarm is a group of honey bees that left their old hive to find a new home. While they rest on a branch, fence or eave, scouts search for a new site. Swarming bees have no hive to defend, so they are usually calm. Most swarms move on within a few hours to a few days.
Some Michigan beekeepers collect swarms, sometimes at little or no cost. A local beekeeping club may be able to point you to one. If the insects are not fuzzy honey bees, see our wasps and hornets page and our steps for a wasp nest near the door.
Bees inside a wall need the comb removed
When honey bees move into a wall, ceiling or soffit, they build wax comb and store honey. Killing the bees without removing the comb leaves honey and wax that can melt in summer heat, soak through drywall, and attract ants, beetles and other pests. Sealing the entry hole can also push bees into the house.
The fix is usually a removal that opens the wall, takes out the bees and comb, and then closes and seals the space. A licensed pest control pro or an experienced beekeeper can do this, and some work together. Ask whether the price includes wall repair, which is often separate.
What it costs
$150 to $1,200per job
Swarm collection is at the low end and may cost little or nothing. Removing an established colony from a wall costs more, and wall repair is often extra. After-hours or same-day visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wasps and hornets and the Michigan cost guide.
Common questions
Will a bee swarm sting me?
Swarming bees are usually calm because they have no hive to protect. They can still sting if disturbed, so keep your distance, keep pets away, and do not spray or throw anything at them.
Can I just spray the bees in my wall?
It is not a good idea. Dead bees and leftover comb and honey can rot, melt and attract other pests, and spraying or sealing the hole can drive bees indoors. Removal of the comb is the lasting fix.
How do I tell bees from wasps?
Honey bees are fuzzy and golden brown. Wasps and yellowjackets are smooth and shiny, often bright yellow and black.
What does bee removal cost in Michigan?
A swarm on a branch may be collected for little or nothing. Removing a colony from a wall often costs several hundred dollars or more, plus repairs. See our pest control cost guide for more.
Other emergencies
- Raccoon in the house
- Noises in the attic or walls
- Bat in the house
- Squirrel in the attic
- Mouse or rat in the living area
- Bird in the house or a vent
- Animal in the chimney
- Animal in the garage or basement
- Skunk under the deck
- Groundhog under the deck or shed
- Opossum in the garage or basement
- Snake in the house
- Wasp nest near the door
- Dead animal smell