Beehive Removal Service

Q.  What should you do if bees have moved into the walls of your home or other structure?

A.  Having bees living in the wall of your home, outbuilding, or other location can be a disconcerting experience.  Most people appreciate the hard work that bees do pollinating our crops and making delicious honey.  When bees decide to make their home in our home it becomes a problem.  Conscientious homeowners would rather not harm the bees, but what should you do?  Give us a call at Cypress Row Farm & Apiary and we will be glad to help. 


Q. What should you expect when contacting Cypress Row Farm & Apiary for a bee removal?

A.  When you contact us for a bee removal service we will answer your call promptly and set up a time to evaluate the situation.  We will come out to your location and discus options for removing the bees, comb, and honey.  Most removals can be done by removing the exterior siding or soffit.  If this is the case the siding or soffit will be carefully removed to provide access to the hive.  Once the bees, comb, and honey have been removed, a repellent will be sprayed in the space and the void filled with insulation.  This will prevent other bees from returning to the same location.  They are easily attracted by the residue of wax and honey and need to be prevented from reoccupying the space.  Once the space is filled the siding or soffit will be replaced and caulked tightly to seal out the bees.  Every effort is made to return your property to the condition it was found in or better.  Occasionally you may need to hire an outside contractor for additional repair work such as touch up painting, Sheetrock, plaster, stucco, brickwork, etc.


Q. What if the bees have to be removed from inside the home?

A. If the bees have to be removed from the inside of the home every effort will be made to isolate the smallest area possible by closing doors and hanging plastic sheeting.  This should keep the bees out of the rest of the house while they are being removed.  The Sheetrock, or paneling will be removed along the studs so that it can easily be replaced and the same process as an exterior removal will be done. 


Q.  What if the bees are not in a wall or structure, but are in some other object?

A.  Our service can remove bees from almost anything.  We can remove bees from septic tanks, propane tank lids, water meters, trash cans, old appliances, vehicles, junk piles, you name it!


Q.  What if the bees are in an area that cannot be accessed?

A.  If the bees cannot be accessed, another removal option is what is called a trap out.  A trap out is a longer process than a removal and will require multiple trips over at least a month.  To start a trap out, the entrance to the hive is isolated with wire mesh so that the bees cannot get back in once they leave the hive.  A hive box is then placed near the entrance to collect the bees that cannot get back into the original hive location.  Every effort must be made to insure there is no other entrance into the hive.  This requires several trips to make sure the bees are not able to get back into the hive and to check on the progress of the trap out.  Once all the bees have been removed, the entrance is permanently sealed and the bees taken away.


Q.  What happens to the bees that are removed?

A.  Whether it is a regular removal or a trap out, the bees are relocated to one of our apiaries (bee yards).  They are placed in a standard beehive and allowed to do what bees love doing... making honey and more bees. They will live a long and happy life in the country!


Q.  What does our beehive removal service cost?

A.  The initial onsite consultation is only $30.  A basic removal costs just $300 plus any materials used and a small mileage fee if you live more than 30 miles from our location in Opelousas, Louisiana.  Removals that take longer than four hours will include an additional hourly charge of $50 an hour.  If a lift or scaffolding is needed to complete the job there will be an additional equipment rental fee.


Q.  What does a trap out removal Cost?

A.  A trap out removal costs $300 plus an additional charge for each weekly visit based on the distance to the location until the bees are removed.


Q.  What if damage is caused to my property during or because of the removal?

A.  We make every effort to put your property back in good order.  We are not building contractors however and there may need to be additional work done by other contractors at your expense to return your property to the condition it was before the removal. If damage outside of these normal repairs occurs we are insured to cover unforeseen damage.


Q.  What if bees move back into my property after the removal?

A.  We make every effort to make the space the bees were in unattractive to new swarms of bees.  However, there is no guarantee that bees will not return.  There are likely other hives nearby which were the source of the bees that moved in and they will continue to produce new swarms over the coming years.  These swarms have the potential to move into your property  There are steps that can be taken, depending on your situation, to reduce the chance of this happening.  These steps will be discussed with you after the removal is completed.

Q.  How do I keep bees out in the future?

A.  It is recommended, if you have an older house which is not insulated, that you either insulate the exterior walls or carefully caulk any holes the size of a bee or larger.  Bees are attracted to empty spaces of about 40 cubic inches.  If they have access to a space of approximately this size they will build a new hive in it.  Filling any holes that lead to an open space of this size and or filling the space is the best prevention.


Q. What area do you provide bee removal services to?

A.  We provide bee removal services to Opelousas, Louisiana and the surrounding area.  This includes the Parishes of St. Landry, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Acadia, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberville, and Point Cupee.  Some of the larger towns and cities in this area include:  Arnaudville, Cankton, Eunice, Grand Coteau, Krotz Springs, Leonville, Melville, Opelousas, Palmetto, Port Barre, Sunset, Washington, Bunkie, Cottonport, Evergreen, Hessmer, Mansura, Marksville, Moreauville, Plaucheville, Simmesport, Church Point, Crowley, Duson, Estherwood, Iota, Mermentau, Morse, Rayne, Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Lafayette, Scott, Youngsville, Basile, Chataignier, Mamou, Pine Prairie, Turkey Creek, Ville Platte, Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Henderson, Parks, Saint Martinville, Fordoche, Livonia, Morganza, New Roads, Maringouin, and Rosedale.  If you are willing to cover mileage past 30 miles from our location or provide travel expenses we will gladly go wherever you are located!