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Honey Bee Removal Statistics (U.S. Data, Trends, and Facts for Homeowners)
- Pete Rizzo
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
When someone discovers bees on or inside their home, panic usually comes first. Facts come second. This page exists to flip that order.
I put these honey bee removal statistics together to answer the most common questions homeowners ask using real data, not assumptions.
How often are bees actually honey bees? How large are structural colonies? When do most removals happen? And is live removal really becoming more common?
These numbers reflect what is happening across the United States and what I see firsthand during professional bee removals.
If you are dealing with bees now and want a clear answer for your situation, proper identification matters before anything else.
Quick Takeaways From the Data
Most bee removal calls do not involve honey bees
Structural honey bee colonies contain tens of thousands of bees
Spring is the busiest season for removals
Live bee removal requests are increasing every year
Honey Bee Removal Statistics (U.S. and Regional)
Last Updated: January 2026
When someone finds bees on or inside their home, the first question is always the same. Is this normal, and how serious is it?
I put this page together to answer that question with real numbers, not guesses. These honey bee removal statistics reflect what actually happens in homes across the United States and what I see every day in the field.
If you want a quick answer for your specific situation, I offer professional identification and live bee removal.
If you are dealing with bees or wasps right now, I recommend contacting me before attempting anything yourself. See our Bee vs Wasp Guides.
How Often Bee Removal Calls Involve Honey Bees vs Wasps
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is insect misidentification.
Across the U.S.:
55 to 65 percent of bee-related calls turn out to be wasps or hornets
35 to 45 percent involve true honey bees
In cities and suburbs, the honey bee percentage is often lower due to yellow jackets and paper wasps being more aggressive and more visible.
This distinction matters. Honey bees are beneficial, often protected, and require a completely different approach than wasps.
How Many Bees Are in a Structural Honey Bee Removal
A colony inside a wall or roof is never small.
Based on nationwide removal data and professional records:
Small colonies: 10,000 to 20,000 bees
Average structural colonies: 20,000 to 30,000 bees
Large established colonies: 40,000 bees or more
These bees are not passing through. They are raising brood, storing honey, and defending a permanent nest.
This is why sprays, traps, and “wait it out” advice usually fail and often make the situation worse. If bees are entering and exiting a structure, the colony is already established. See What to Do If Bees Are in Your Wall
Where Honey Bees Are Most Commonly Found in Homes
Honey bees choose locations that offer warmth, protection, and long-term stability.
The most common nesting locations I remove bees from are:
Wall voids behind siding, stucco, or drywall
Attics near rooflines and vents
Chimneys, especially unused ones
Soffits and eaves with small access gaps
Utility boxes and meter panels
More than 70 percent of structural honey bee colonies are found in walls or roof-adjacent spaces. Once comb is built, bees do not relocate on their own.
If you are seeing bees disappear into a crack or seam, that is a strong indicator of a hidden hive.
Seasonal Bee Removal Statistics by Month
Bee activity follows predictable seasonal patterns.
National averages for honey bee removal calls:
January to February: 5 to 10 percent
March to April: 20 to 25 percent
May to June: 30 to 35 percent peak season
July to August: 15 to 20 percent
September to October: 10 to 15 percent
November to December: Under 5 percent
Spring is dominated by swarms and rapid colony growth. Summer removals usually involve colonies that were missed earlier in the year.
In warm climates, removals often extend later into fall. Season matters, but established colonies should not be delayed.
Year-Over-Year Bee Removal Trends
Bee removal demand is increasing, not declining.
Industry data and service records show:
8 to 12 percent annual growth in live bee removal requests
Declining demand for extermination-only services
Higher call volumes in urban and suburban areas
This shift is driven by education, environmental awareness, and better access to professional live removal services.
Homeowners are choosing solutions that protect both their property and the bees. Live removal is no longer rare. It is becoming the standard. See Live Bee Removal Services
Why These Statistics Should Guide Your Decision
Numbers remove emotion from the situation.
They show that:
Many insects are misidentified
Structural colonies are large and permanent
Timing affects urgency but not risk
Live removal is increasingly preferred
Waiting, spraying, or guessing often leads to higher repair costs and more aggressive bee behavior. If you are dealing with bees now, the safest move is proper identification and professional removal.
Data Sources and Review Process
The statistics on this page are compiled from:
U.S. beekeeping industry surveys
State extension and entomology publications
Peer-reviewed research
Aggregated professional bee removal records
Field observations from live removals
This page is reviewed regularly and updated as new data becomes available.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete - 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 are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
