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Bee removal and bee colony treatment from Q and L Pest Management: we treat nuisance honey bee colonies and swarms at homes, yards and businesses in Palm Beach County and Broward County. In Florida, eradicating a honey bee colony is pest control and must be done by a licensed pest control company. We don’t physically remove hives or comb, but if the hive or comb needs to come out, we can refer you to a qualified professional for hive removal.
Honey bees are valuable pollinators, but a colony inside a wall, soffit, roof, shed, irrigation box or hollow tree next to a door, pool or play area is a real problem. Bees defend their nest, and Africanized honey bees are established in Florida. You can’t tell them apart from other honey bees by looking, so every colony should be handled with care. We treat bee colonies for homes, condos and businesses from Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens to West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton, and across Broward County.
Swarm or established colony?
| Swarm | Established colony | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | A cluster of bees hanging on a branch, fence, eave or wall | Bees flying in and out of one opening, day after day |
| Comb | None yet | Wax comb with honey and brood inside a wall, roof, tree or other cavity |
| What happens next | Often moves on within hours to a few days once scouts find a new home | Keeps growing until it’s treated |
If a swarm stays put for more than a couple of days, or bees are steadily going in and out of an opening, they have likely started building comb. That’s when to call us.
Florida rules for honey bee colonies
FDACS guidance on honey bees in Florida covers who can treat a colony:
- Eradication is pest control. Under section 482.021, Florida Statutes, killing a honey bee colony counts as pest control and must be done by a licensed pest control company. Q and L Pest Management holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443.
- The property owner decides how the colony is handled.
- Ask for credentials. FDACS advises asking anyone who handles bees for their license number.
How bee colony treatment works
Inspection
We find where the bees are going in and out, estimate how far the colony extends and check where the comb is likely built.
Your options
We explain the options for your property and the Florida rules above. We treat the colony. If the hive or comb needs to come out of a wall, roof or tree, we can refer you to a qualified professional for hive removal.
Colony treatment
We treat the nuisance colony or swarm and take care to keep bees from moving into nearby rooms or neighboring units.
After the bees are gone
Comb and honey left inside a wall or roof can attract new bees and other pests, so they should come out, and the opening should be closed so a new swarm doesn’t move in. We don’t physically remove hives or comb, but we can refer you to a qualified professional for hive removal. Structural repairs should be done by a licensed contractor.
What to do until we arrive
- Keep people and pets away from the bees.
- Don’t spray, plug, seal or hit the nest or opening yourself. Disturbing a colony can trigger a defensive response, and sealing an opening can push bees into the house.
- Avoid running mowers, trimmers or pressure washers near the colony.
- If anyone is stung many times, or has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911.
Bees at a business or community
Bees in a storefront sign, a parking lot tree, a condo soffit or a clubhouse roof need the same careful approach. See our commercial pest control services and our pest control for HOAs and property managers.
Sources
- FDACS: Honey Bee Removal or Eradication in Florida
- UF/IFAS Extension: African Honey Bee: What You Need to Know
Related services and reading
Serving Palm Beach and Broward Counties
We provide bee colony treatment in Boynton Beach, bee colony treatment in South Palm Beach and bee colony treatment in Jupiter Island. From our base in Lantana we also serve Lantana, Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Wellington, plus dozens of other communities in Palm Beach and Broward counties. See all 49 service areas.
Bee removal and bee colony treatment FAQ
Is it legal to kill honey bees in Florida?
A licensed pest control company may eradicate a nuisance honey bee colony. Under Florida law, eradication is pest control and requires a pest control license. Q and L Pest Management holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443.
Do you remove the hive or comb?
No. We treat bee colonies, but we don’t physically remove hives or comb. If the hive or comb needs to come out, we can refer you to a qualified professional for hive removal.
Will a bee swarm leave on its own?
Often, yes. A swarm resting on a branch or eave usually moves on within hours to a few days. If bees keep going in and out of an opening, they have likely moved in and started building comb.
Are the bees in my wall Africanized?
You can’t tell by looking. Africanized honey bees are established in Florida and look like other honey bees, so every colony should be treated with caution.
Why does the comb need to be removed?
Comb and honey left behind can attract new bees and other pests, and the opening should be closed so another swarm doesn’t move in. We can refer you to a qualified professional for hive and comb removal.
Do you treat bees at businesses and condo buildings?
Yes. We treat bee colonies at homes, businesses and community properties across Palm Beach County and Broward County.
Schedule bee colony treatment
Tell us where the bees are, how long you’ve seen them and whether they are going in and out of a wall, roof or tree. Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
Q and L Pest Management LLC · FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443 · Inspect first. Treat smart.