Removing Bee Hive

[2B4Him]

I have a bee hive in the hollow branch of a large live oak right next to my house. It has been there for several years and isn't really a hazard or anything, but I'd prefer it not be there.
I'm wondering if bee keepers charge to 'remove' a hive (which they would then keep for the honey, etc.), or if they remove them for free or even pay for the opportunity to get some new bees.
Anyone know how that all works or does anyone know of a bee keeper in or close to Parker County?
(BTW: I have absolutely no interest in trying to eradicate or remove them myself.)

[lilavidhunter]

No help here, but you need to get them out. During Hurricane Ike, my next door neighbor discovered he had a hive in a hollow branch of an oak tree.

In addition to the tree/limb crashing through his roof and flooding his upstairs, he had thousands of bees in his house.

Maybe someone who raises them in the area will take them away for free.

Good Luck.

[cj7zrcool]

I had a hive in the gable end of my house for years and had to do something about them when it was time to paint. I tries every avenue I could think of to keep from having to kill 'em. Nobody wanted them and they had to go. Several weeks (off & on) of running a 5gal shop vac with a homemade PVC pipe extension finally got 'em all.

[Johnny Dangerr]

I would get a big ball of steel wool and plug the hole. Then pump in soapy water.

[Sippy]

Find a beekeeper, and make sure they arent killed

[lameduck]

Find a beekeeper, and make sure they arent killed

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^ They are the most valuable insect we have. Bad thing is they are disapearing at an alarming rate.

[ccupit]

just reach in there and taket out yourself

[Hoggwild]

just seal the hole....use expanding foam....works great! do it early mornings or late evenings when they arent so active

[TX kyleboy]

I vote life...we need the bees

[Easyrider]

I vote life...we need the bees

x10

[Tilladaddy]

x10

x1,000,000

[2B4Him]

Besides the fact that I'd rather a bee keeper end up with the bees (as opposed to killing them), the hole plugging idea doesn't work in my situation as they have three different entries to the hive: two knot holes that are about 5 inch diameter, and the broken off end of the hollow branch, about 10 inches in diameter and opening toward the sky. (I'd have to deal with a bunch of angry bees trying to do anything with those holes.)

[DeadeyeDeb]

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^ They are the most valuable insect we have. Bad thing is they are disapearing at an alarming rate.

I agree 100%. Do not kill them. You think corn prices are high now, just wait if there are no bees for pollination!!!!!!!
They are disappearing faster than most people think. I am sure you could find a beekeeper before too long.

[txdukklr]

I tried a few years back and candidly every person I called said they wouldn't come get them for free.

[Draco]

Most small time bee keepers would want them I would think. To start new hives is quite expensive. They should be able to trap them out by starting a new hive just outside the tree. It takes about a month.