BEE / SWARM REMOVAL
What is a swarm?Swarming is a process caused by congestion in the hive. Early in the spring, the population in the hive can greatly expand, creating overcrowding. As a result, the colony makes a decision to divide. The colony begins the process of producing a second queen. When the development of a new queen is well under way, the existing queen and approximately half of the colony will leave the hive and begin looking for a new home. |
Who should I call to have a swarm removed?
If you have a swarm and would like to contact a beekeeper for removal, you may contact someone from the Bee/Swarm Removal List below. Those listed are solely responsible for all actions and activities related to swarm collection. Midwestern Beekeepers Association provides the listing only as a service to the general public and the Assoc. , its officers and members assume no responsibilities whatsoever related to ensuing communications or any transactions that may occur, including but not limited to information exchanged or any damages, injuries or bodily harm alleged to have been sustained during the process of swarm retrieval. When calling, please be prepared to answer the following questions;
- 1. How big is the swarm cluster and what does it look like? Honey bees cluster as one big mass of bees as shown in the picture at the top of the page. If they are a small cluster around the knot of a tree or a hole in a wall, they are no longer a swarm, but an established hive which makes it much more difficult and time consuming to remove.
- 2. Where is swarm located and how high is it? Height usually adds to the difficulty of removal. This lets the beekeeper know what kind of equipment he/she will need, ladders, poles, etc.
- 3. How long has the swarm been there? Swarms that have been there, more than a few days are most likely an established hive. While many beekeepers will remove swarms, far fewer are prepared to handle established hives, including those in trees, houses or other structures.
2018 BEE / SWARM REMOVAL LIST
Steve DeCaigney | Independence, MO | 816-257-5258 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Harold Wright | Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, Buckner | 816-286-9217, 816-578-4460 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Bob and Michelle Williams | Belton, Raymore, Peculiar, Cleveland | 816-331-6634 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Rodger Greary | Odessa, MO | 816-729-4649 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs, and Bee tree removal |
Tom and Janice Britz | Harrisonville, MO; Peculiar, Mo | 816-419-6816, 816-419-1327 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Struart and Nita Dietz | Independence, MO and Topeka, Kansas | 785-304-5905 | Swarms and Cut-outs |
John Martin | Kansas City, MO | 816-726-6371 | Swarms only |
Marty Hansen | Belton, MO | 816-863-1974 | Swarms only |
Dan Elder | Sibley, MO | 816-204-0641 | Swarms and cut-outs, bee tree removal |
Terry O’Bryan | Liberty, MO | 816-805-6779 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Jim Shay | Lee’s Summit, MO | 816-550-5121 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
James Reeves | Blue Springs, MO | 816-392-4685 | Swarms only |
Jim and Tanya Fisher | Raymore, Grandview, Lee’s Summit | 816-918-6648 | Swarms only |
Kyle Day | Richmond, MO | 816-654-5287 | Swarms, some cut-outs |
Sarah Fields | Kansas City, MO | 816-739-6116 | Swarms only |
Melody Armstrong | Raymore, MO | 816-406-9312 | Swarms only |
Ezekiel Amador | Kansas City, MO Midtown/Downtown | 816-612-9030 | Swarms and Some Cut-outs |
Josh Terhune | Kansas City, MO | 816-261-4684 | Swarms only |
Rich Wilson | Oak Grove, MO | 816-806-5552 | Swarms and Cut-outs |
Charles Perrin | Kansas City, MO | 816-377-1576 | Swarms and some cut-outs |
Ron Vivian | Oak Grove, MO | 816-582-6934 | Swarms only |
Thomas Thissen | Kansas City, MO | 816-291-0568 | Swarms and some cut-outs and Bee tree removal |
Jeremy Terry | Kansas City, MO | 816-225-2569 | Swarms and cut-outs and Bee tree removal |
Linda Hezel | Kearney, MO | 816-560-7878 | Swarms only |
Michael Costanzo | Kearney/Holt/Liberty/Lathrop/Lawson | 816-918-9865 | Swarms and some cut-outs |