Honey Bee Swarm Removal
Bee swarms are a natural phenomenon. They are the reproductive phase in a bee colony’s life. If you have become the host of a swarm that you need to be relocated, please contact one of FCBA members listed below. These people are hobbyist beekeepers in your community. See below for How it Works.
| Beekeeper | Home Town | Phone | Service Area | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Maloney | Frederick | 301-712-5855 | dave@maloney.com | Frederick Co. | |||
| Ed Mordan (swarms and bee removal from structures) | Woodsboro | 301-471-1359 | mordans@yahoo.com | Frederick Co. | |||
| Rodney Olah | Jefferson | 443-336-8321 | rodney443@me.com | Frederick Co. & Loudon Co. | |||
| Jon Bush | Middletown | 717-333-8761 | kunkle31@gmail.com | Washington county, travel within 30 mile | |||
| Ken Funk | Washington County | 301-491-4662 | kklfunk@verizon.net | Clear Spring, MD area | |||
| Kim & Mike Raide | Libertytown | 443-220-1107 585-957-2198 | mike@blackcatapiary.com kim@blackcatapairy.com | Frederick county | |||
| Nathan Deckard | Frederick | 561.445.8066 | greatdanehoney@gmail.com | Frederick, Washington counties | |||
| John Gardner | Frederick | 301-606-1956 | laddybuck1@gmail.com | Frederick Co. | |||
How it Works
A beekeeper will come to capture the swarm for you, or if they cannot come, they will help you find someone who can. Some of these folks are also able to remove bees from structures such as homes or outbuildings. Honeybee swarms are remarkably docile and will not attack you. Therefore, please do not spray them or throw objects at them to make them leave. Doing so will only disrupt their cluster momentarily, and they will simply return to form the cluster again. If you do nothing at all, the swarm will move on to more permanent housing of their choice within hours or a couple of days at the most.
Please let the beekeeper know where the swarm is located, how long the bees have been there, and the approximate size of the bee swarm.
If you want the swarm captured, please have the following information for the beekeeper:
- Are these really honeybees? What does the cluster look like? Beekeepers are not interested in yellow jackets, wasps, or hornet nests. Above are some examples of what honeybee swarms look like. It is a good idea to text or email a photo of the swarm to the beekeeper if possible.
- What is the swarm clustered on (hanging from a branch? clinging to a fence post, tree trunk or telephone pole?)
- How high is it from the ground? The beekeeper might need to bring a ladder.
- How large is the swarm (watermelon? basketball?)
- How long has the swarm been at this location?
- What is your address, phone number and email address?
- Will you be present to point out where the swarm is when the beekeeper arrives? If not, please provide exact directions so the beekeeper can locate it on your property.
- Is it OK if the beekeeper snips a branch in order to facilitate removal?
- Is it on your property or someone else’s?
- Have you sprayed it with any sort of insecticide?
- Do you have any pets or farm animals that might be troublesome to the beekeeper?