2024 SWARM LIST

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Help I have a swarm of honeybees!!!

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TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN CATCHING A SWARM!!

 

The West Sound Beekeepers are here to help. A swarm of honey bees appears like a football hanging from a tree limb, swing set, fence post, or just about anywhere. They generally are not aggressive and will only remain there for a short period of time.  There is a list below of volunteer beekeepers willing to rescue those bees based on your location in the county.

 

A papery nest or insects coming out of the ground most likely indicates that they are wasps, hornets, or bumble bees, not honey bees. Call the members in Green Font as they will assist in relocation of other insects.  

 

North Kitsap​

• Scott Ellerby  360.204.6377

• Kirstin Johnston  360.440.0376

• Bob Finley  360.620.2329

• Susan Chernak  360.833.3735

• Jeff Rupert  360.689.1020

 

Central Kitsap​​​

• Kirstin Johnston  360.440.0376

• Brenda Smith  360.813.4844

• Sandy Fanara  360.552.1928

• Bob Finley  360.620.2329

• Susan Chernak  360.833.3735

• Jeff Rupert  360.689.1020

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Bremerton​​

• Brenda Smith  360.813.4844

• Kirstin Johnston  360.440.0376

• Bob Finley  360.620.2329

• Jeff Rupert  360.689.1020

 

Bainbridge Island:

• Scott Ellerby  360.204.6377

• Jeff Rupert  360.689.1020

 

Belfair/Shelton:​​

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South Kitsap:​

• Deborah Schmidt  253.682.8316

• Kirstin Johnston  360.440.0376

• David Mackovjak  360.340.0381

• Brenda Smith  360.813.4844

• Don Moen  253.227.5044​

 

Gig Harbor​

• Deborah Schmidt  253.682.8316

 

Shelton/Belfair

• Don Moen  253.227.5044

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When the honey bees are swarming they are not aggressive, they are simply trying to find their queen and eventually a new home. The queen has left a nearby hive and is looking to build a new home. The queen will take 10,000 to 20,000 of her worker bees with her to establish this new home. The queen will eventually land somewhere and the workers will gather around her forming the ball you may see. This is when we need to arrive on site. They may remain there for only a few hours, maybe as much as a day or more while scout bees look for a permanent homesite. We need to collect them while they are in this ball state. We don’t want them to set up a permanent home in your chimney, walls, or anywhere they will become a nuisance and end up costing you the homeowner thousands of dollars in demo and repair. Swarms collected outside of structures are collected free of charge.

 

Please do not spray the bees with anything, even water. This will only aggravate the bees and cause them to move higher in a tree. 

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What happens when we arrive on site? We will simply scoop, shake, or pour the bees into a temporary hive. All the bees will follow the queen who is in the center of the ball. We will leave the hive box until dark and pick it up that evening or early the next morning to insure we have as many bees as possible. You may see a few remaining bees around but once the temporary hive has been removed they will simply go back to their home hive.

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Why call a beekeeper from West Sound Beekeepers? We are skilled beekeepers that are working under a code of ethics to ensure the job is done safely and that the bees will go to a good home. Most swarms that are hanging out in the open are collected at no charge. However, swarms that have moved into a structure may require a fee (we call these cut outs). We will also work with building contractors to safely collect bees once they are uncovered so they can safely repair any damage that may have been necessary to gain access. Prices depend on many variables. Check with the individual beekeeper for quotes and advice on this type of removal.​​​

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