Bee Removals in Boulder City: Your Guide to Safe and Humane Solutions
Updated: Oct 18
Bee removals in Boulder City often involve large, established colonies. I frequently receive calls from homeowners who notice bees coming and going from a wall or a small gap in a shed. Many people hope the situation resolves itself, but it rarely does.
Bees that have chosen your home as their residence are not just passing through. They are here to stay, and they won't reconsider their choice.
At Vegas Bees, we specialize in live removal and relocation. Our experience comes from handling these calls, not from a brochure.
In short, we safely extract the colony, place it in a hive box, and address the entry point that allowed them in.
How a Live Bee Removal Actually Works
When a colony settles inside a wall, roof overhang, or block wall, we carefully open the cavity. We remove the comb, brood, and honey by hand. The bees and brood comb go into a hive box. Securing the queen bee is crucial and must happen quickly.
A colony organizes itself around the queen. Once she is in the box, the rest of the bees follow. If we don't secure her, the bees will keep returning to the empty spot, leading to a longer process.
We once removed a beehive from Boulder City Hospital. If we hadn’t secured the queen right away, it would have been a significant challenge.
There were nearly 5,000 bees and a lot of honeycomb. When we opened the box, the queen was right there, waiting for us!
A bee swarm is the easier version of this task. A swarm hanging from a branch or building hasn't built anything yet. We can box it up without opening a wall. However, established colonies with comb, brood, and stored honey require more effort.
Many colonies we handle in the Las Vegas area are Africanized. This means they defend their nests more aggressively than most people expect.
That’s why we work in protective gear and have a solid plan. We also ask others to stay back a safe distance when we begin the removal.
The Part That Happens After the Bees are Gone
A removal isn't complete when the bees are in the box.
Leftover comb and honey are the primary reasons bees return. The scent attracts new scouts.
In Boulder City’s heat, abandoned comb can melt and soak into insulation and drywall. This turns a bee problem into an ant problem and then a repair issue. We clean the cavity thoroughly and seal the area that allowed the bees in.
This usually involves sealing gaps in stucco, block wall holes, edges around meter boxes, irrigation boxes, and spots along the roofline.
Scouts often check out places that used to hold a colony. A quick inspection every week or two for the first month can help you determine if the seal is effective. If bees are still poking around, call us before it becomes a second colony.
Catching it Early
The signs of a bee colony are often subtle. You might hear a hum coming from inside a wall. You may notice a steady stream of bees going in and out of a small gap. A wall that feels warm in one spot, a wax smell nearby, or honey staining on stucco or drywall are also indicators.
Bees hovering around a dripping hose or pool edge in summer can signal a nearby colony. In the desert, bees are always searching for water.
Acting early is essential. A young colony has little comb. A colony that has been there for a season has much more comb, more bees, and requires more extensive wall openings. Smaller jobs cost less, take less time, and cause less damage to your property.
What We Tell People Not to Do
Some people attempt to handle bee removal themselves. Unfortunately, bees rarely cooperate.
Spraying a colony inside a wall kills the bees but leaves the comb and honey behind. This creates a bigger problem than the one you started with. Sealing the entrance with bees still inside is another common mistake. The bees often find another way out, which can lead them into your kitchen or bedroom.
Trying to smoke them out and pry the wall open yourself can turn a manageable situation into an emergency room visit.
Instead, we suggest keeping kids and pets away from the area. Close nearby windows and doors. Take a photo of the gap from a safe distance and call us. If anyone is stung multiple times or has trouble breathing, call 911 first.
What it Costs
The cost of bee removal varies. It depends on the size of the colony, how high or awkward the spot is to reach, how much of the wall needs to be opened, and what repairs are necessary afterward.
We prefer to look at photos or visit the site rather than guess. Quoting a bee job sight unseen can lead to inaccuracies.
For the price, you receive your wall, patio, or yard back. The colony is relocated alive, and we seal the entry point to prevent future issues.
We provide services across Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, and the rest of Clark County. If you have bees in a wall right now, or anywhere else, live bee removal is the best option. We can come to you in Boulder City today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you kill the bees when you remove them in Boulder City?
No. We remove the colony alive and relocate it to a hive, queen included. We don't spray or exterminate because killing bees inside a wall leaves the comb and honey behind, creating a bigger problem.
How much does bee removal cost in Boulder City?
The cost depends on the size of the colony, how difficult the spot is to reach, how much of the wall needs to be opened, and what repairs are needed afterward. Sending us a photo or having us come look is the quickest way to get an accurate estimate.
What should I do if I find bees in my wall or roofline?
Keep kids and pets away from the area. Close nearby windows and doors, and take a photo of the entry gap from a safe distance. Then call us. Please don't spray the entrance or seal it, as that usually pushes the bees into your living space.
Can I remove a bee hive myself?
We don't recommend it. Many colonies in the Las Vegas area are Africanized, which means they defend their nests more aggressively than most people expect. Removing the bees is only half the job; leftover comb and honey must also be removed to prevent new bees from moving in.
Will bees come back after removal?
They can if the comb isn't fully cleaned out or the entry point isn't sealed. An old site holds scents that attract scouts. We clean out the cavity and seal the entry points. We also suggest checking the area every week or two for the first month.
How can I tell early that I have bees on my property?
Common signs include a hum inside a wall, steady bee traffic at one small gap, a warm spot on a wall, a wax smell, or honey staining on stucco or drywall. Catching it early means a smaller colony, less comb to remove, and less damage to your property.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy Lewis and Pete Rizzo, Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we rescue and relocate honey bees with care and precision.
If bees have moved into your wall, yard, or block wall, our live bee removal covers Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and the rest of Clark County. A cluster hanging from a tree or fence is a job for our bee swarm removal, and if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, see how our free bee removal works.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees. At our Joshua Tree Preserve, we care for dozens of thriving hives, some wild, some honey-bearing, all part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping keeps evolving, and so do we. We keep up our education, compare notes with fellow beekeepers, and refine our techniques so bees and people both come out ahead.
We also support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies. If you’re ready to suit up and start your own journey, we’ve got what you need.
