SOBA Members on this list are experienced beekeepers who are able to remove an established colony from a structure. An established colony can be found in the interior of a tree, a shed, a wall, a water valve box, a barbecue grill, or any other place with an open space. It is considered an established colony when bees have had enough time to build wax comb and possibly store pollen, nectar, honey, eggs, or larva in the wax comb.  

Removing an established colony is a serious decision to make. For property owners, it can mean cutting down a beloved tree, cutting through parts of a wall, removing or demolishing a brick wall, etc. It may take a full day, or more, of labor intensive work, often in small spaces. It may require renting a boom, lift, or scaffolding. To complete the removal, it may require using a chainsaw, reciprocating saw, or other cutting devices.  For a well established colony, this may require more time and equipment to trap out the colony.

For the beekeeper, removing an established colony requires a new hive structure in which to put the colony, which can include clips, rubber bands, and frames in addition to the typical structure of a bottom board, inner cover, and lid. The beekeeper will need personal protective equipment, vacuum, tools, or container(s) for wax comb. Beware of construction workers, new beekeepers, or other inexperienced people attempting to remove an established colony. They may create a bigger problem if they lack building construction knowledge, honeybee biology knowledge, or proper equipment to complete the removal. 

The SOBA members on this list are NOT volunteers nor are they employees of SOBA. Each one is an independent contractor who is responsible for their own insurance, equipment, gear, and supplies to remove an established colony. Before you hire anyone on this list, it is recommended that you ask for referrals of their previous work, get a quote for the work, and ask questions about their expectations and communicate your expectations to them.

It is a common fallacy that beekeepers will remove an established colony for free because they get to keep the bees. This is false information. Removing an established colony is labor intensive and can be expensive. Because of this, some choose to poison the bees and kill the colony. Beware of anyone making this suggestion. A colony that has been poisoned leaves behind brood, dead bees, and comb filled with honey, nectar, and pollen. These become attractants for ants, roaches, rodents, and other pests, and can create a bigger problem than the honeybees. Please consider these factors carefully when making the decision to remove an established colony.