Bee & Hive Questions — Answered Straight
You’ve got questions before you spend a dollar. Fair. Here’s what we tell every homeowner who calls us, in plain language — no sales pitch, just the truth.
FAQ’s About Bee and Wasp Removal
General Questions
Do you kill the bees, or save them?
Whenever we can, we save them. Honeybees are good for DFW and we're a beekeeping family — we genuinely love working with them. But saving a hive isn't always possible: sometimes it's in a spot we can't safely access, or the colony is too aggressive to relocate. When that's the case, we'll tell you straight instead of promising a "live removal" we can't deliver. Either way, it's explained to you before we start — save or remove, it's your choice.
What happens to the bees you save?
A saved hive gets relocated to a local apiary, where it goes on doing what honeybees do best — not destroyed, not released down the street to become someone else's problem
How much does bee removal cost?
It depends on where the hive is, how big it's gotten, and whether it's a simple extraction or a full hive-out with repair work (drywall, insulation, that kind of thing). Here's the part that matters more than any number we could put on this page: you'll know your exact price before we ever leave to come to you. No estimate that turns into a surprise once we're standing in your yard.
How fast can you get here?
Same-day, most days. Call and you'll usually talk to a real person who can size up the situation on the phone and get a beekeeper headed your way.
Do you work weekends?
Yes — bees don't wait for Monday, and neither do we.
Are honeybees protected? Am I even allowed to have them removed?
Honeybees aren't federally protected, but they matter — to your yard, your garden, and the ecosystem around you. That's exactly why we'd rather relocate a hive than destroy it whenever it's possible to do so safely. You're allowed to have a hive removed from your property; we just believe it's worth doing right.
Will the bees come back if you just remove the hive?
Not the same colony — but the spot that attracted them once can attract another swarm later if the entry point is left open. That's why we recommend sealing the gap (weep holes, soffit openings, vents) after a removal. Ask us about bee-proofing — it's a lot cheaper than a repeat hive-out.
How long does a hive take to get established in my wall?
Faster than most people think — in a Texas summer, bees can build comb inside a wall in about a week. Left alone, that honey and wax melt in the heat, stain the wall, and draw other pests. If you've spotted bees going in and out of the same spot for more than a few days, don't wait it out — call.
Is it a full hive, or just a resting swarm?
A swarm resting on a branch or fence post for a day or two hasn't moved in yet — it's scouting. That's the easiest and cheapest call you can make, because there's no comb, honey, or structural work involved. Once they've settled into a wall or soffit and started building, it's a different job. If you're not sure which one you're looking at, describe it to us on the phone and we'll help you figure it out.
Is it dangerous to have bees or wasps removed myself?
Honeybees are generally calm unless the hive is disturbed, but a wall cavity, an aggressive colony, or anyone in the house with an allergy changes that math fast. Wasps and hornets are a different story — they can sting repeatedly and get defensive quickly once a nest is disturbed. If it's high up, inside a structure, or near a doorway, that's when we say call a pro instead of taking the risk yourself.
What's the difference between bees, wasps, and hornets?
Honeybees are fuzzy, golden-brown, and build wax comb — usually inside cavities like walls or trees. Wasps and hornets are smoother, more aggressive when disturbed, and build paper-like nests in the open or in the ground. See our wasp & hornet removal page and red wasp identification guide for the specifics.
What's your warranty?
Every removal is backed by our written warranty — ask us for the current terms when you call, so you've got it in writing before we start.
Why should I use a beekeeping family instead of a regular exterminator?
Because we can actually do both jobs, and we'll tell you honestly which one your situation calls for. A pure exterminator only has one tool. We've been keeping bees and helping neighbors with bee problems for over 45 years — the same team, many of them here 10, 20, 30, even 40 years. We know the difference between a nuisance and a genuine risk, and we won't pad your ticket to make the sale.
Here Are Some Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Bees
- Bees pollinate 80% of the plants worldwide. Amazingly, this means that without the honey bee, we would have none of the fruits and vegetables we need to maintain good health.
- Every product from the beehive can be used for medicinal purposes.
- Honey not only tastes good but is a popular remedy for treating allergies.
- Bee pollen is a nutritious food. It contains all of the essential, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to sustain life.
- Propolis is the “glue” that seals up tiny cracks in a hive, but it is also a natural antibiotic used to treat minor scrapes.
- Royal jelly is fed to the larvae to “make” a queen. It is also found in numerous beauty products.
- Even bee venom is used for apitherapy, treating many people with Multiple Sclerosis successfully.
- A colony of bees contains anywhere from 20,000-60,000 bees with only one queen.
- The queen lives 2-3 years and can lay up to 2500 eggs a day during their busy months.
- Honey bees can sense danger from people or animals over 50 feet away.
- All worker bees are female and they’re the only ones that sting. They can only sting one time and then they die.
- Bees only sting when they feel threatened, so never swat at a bee or they may pursue you.
- A honey bee visits 50-100 flowers in one collection trip.
- A worker bee’s average lifespan is about 6-8 weeks.
- The average honey bee will only make 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
- Bees “dance” to communicate
For more facts about bees, check out these pages:
The How and Why of Bee Swarms
What is a Scout Honeybee
Are Bees the Smartest Insect
Little Giant Beekeepers Blog
From around the web:
10 Facts about Honey Bees, from National Geographic Kids
Fun Facts, from American Bee Journal
Facts about bee removal:
Bee Removal Services
Still have a question we didn’t cover? Call — you’ll talk to a real person who can walk you through your specific situation. No bait and switch, no pressure, just the truth and your call.
Contact Us
Ready to say goodbye to unwanted bees and wasps? Have more questions? Little Giant Beekeepers is here for you. Reach out to us today to schedule a service, or to get a quote. Our friendly team is dedicated to providing you with the information and assistance you need, ensuring a swift and satisfactory resolution to your bee and wasp concerns. Let us help you maintain a safe and comfortable environment for you and your family.