Free Bee Removal in Calgary
Hi, Calgary.
Got Bees?
If you've found bees like these, please contact the Calgary District Beekeepers Association's Swarm Catcher service by emailing calgarybeekeepers@gmail.com with details.
When a colony of honey bees has grown beyond the capacity of their hive, the queen leaves the hive with roughly half of the workers and leaves behind a new queen and the other half of the workers. This is called a "swarm", which occur mostly in spring and early summer when a colony is growing and they need more space. Swarms are the natural way that bees use to ensure the survival of the species.
Prior to settling into a new home, these swarms will sometimes gather in a cluster, often in a tree. These swarms of bees are no threat to humans. They are simply trying to find a new home. Swarms don't care about you, unless they feel threatened.
In fact, all of those bees filled (filled!) their bellies with honey before setting out on the trip, and so not only are they not looking for trouble, they're also sluggish because of the extra weight they're carrying (the honey).
Swarm colonies are the start of a brand new independant colony. Unfortunately, with our extreme winters, they won't survive unless they find (or are put into) a suitable home, but beware; Capturing a swarm is not for the faint of heart.
If you know of a swarm; please contact the Calgary District Beekeepers Association's Swarm Catcher service by emailing calgarybeekeepers@gmail.com with details.
Is it really a swarm?
Swarms consist of several thousand bees. If you're seeing only a small number of bees, chances are they're just curious about something or thirsty; If the spot they've found is wet in any way, just remove the water source and they'll stop coming back in a few days.
Are you sure they're honey bees?
If it’s very furry with hunched shoulders, it’s a bumblebee. (harmless!)
If it’s hairless, it’s a wasp/hornet. (call these fine folks)
Is the nest round/egg-shaped, and paper-like? wasps/hornets again!
If it’s slightly furry, with a long tube-like shape, then it’s a honey bee!:
| Honey Bee | Bumble Bee | Wasp | Hornet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
 |
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|
| Appearance | Fuzzy | Very fuzzy | Very slick; not fuzzy | |
| Demeanor | Curious | Lazy, almost drunk | Jerks | Assholes |
| Stinging | Can only sting once. | Can sting over and over again |
Do sting over and over again |
|
| Likelihood to sting | Only if they feel threatened | Rarely ever stings | Stings without warning or reason | |
| Pollination | Expert pollinator | Expert pollinator | Not a pollinator | |
| Nest Location | In trees, walls, boxes, sheds, etc | In birdhouses, sheds, underground | In trees, wall voids, on buildings, underground | |
| Nest type | Wax honeycomb, typically white-ish. | "Clumps of eggs stuck together with goo" | Usually paper-like | |
| Diet | Feed on nectar and pollen. | Feed on nectar and pollen. | Feed on other insects, nectar and fruit. |
|
| How best to handle |
Email calgarybeekeepers@gmail.com with photos & details | Just leave them be |
Burn them. Burn them all, straight to hell! ;) (I recommend these folks) |
|
When you contact the Calgary District Beekeepers Association's Swarm Catcher service by emailing calgarybeekeepers@gmail.com, they will need at least one photo or video of the bees, and will also want to know:
- Location in the city of the swarm (address, or at least area of the city)
- Location on the property of the swarm (on the ground, in a tree, in a roof, etc?)
- When did you first notice the bees, and what have you noticed about them?
They can not come without photo confirmation.
