Bees in Trees
Honey bees naturally seek out hollow trees as nesting sites because they provide protection from weather, predators, and temperature changes. A colony living inside a tree may remain there for years if conditions are favorable.
When honey bees become established inside a hollow tree, the only way to properly remove the colony is to open the tree and physically remove the hive similar to what is required when bees are living inside a wall or ceiling of a home.
Unfortunately, this usually requires a professional tree company and often involves removing large sections of the tree or even the entire tree. Since most hollow trees are mature and very large, the cost of tree removal can become extremely expensive.
While Rockland Bee Removal is happy to work alongside tree professionals to remove honey bee colonies from trees when necessary, in many cases it is simply not practical or worthwhile to remove the tree solely for the bees. Often, the better option is to coexist with the colony and keep a respectful distance.
A few important things to know:
• You may read online about a method called a “trap-out,” where a one-way device is placed over the entrance so bees can leave but cannot re-enter. While this may reduce visible bee activity, it does not remove the queen, honeycomb, brood, or the majority of the colony still inside the tree. In most cases, the hive is not truly eliminated.
• If the colony remains in the tree during spring, the hive may produce a swarm. This is a natural reproductive process where thousands of bees temporarily leave the colony with a queen to establish a new home. Swarms are typically non-aggressive and can often be safely removed by a beekeeper if they settle within reach.
• Honey bees living inside trees are usually not dangerous unless disturbed. Many tree colonies survive peacefully for years without issue.
We proudly provide live honey bee removal services throughout Rockland County, Bergen County, and surrounding areas.◆
