Central Coast Beekeeping Alliance coordinates the capture of swarms and wild hive removals in San Luis Obispo county, using the expertise among our membership. If you have spotted a honeybee swarm, please fill out the form below or call our swarm dispatch coordinators. Please have the following information ready:
- Swarm location Provide the exact address, where you see the swarm (in a plum tree about five feet above the ground on the northend of the property about 10 feet from the road)
- Swarm Description Is the swarm free-flying or is it in a structure (a building, water main box)? How long has the swarm been there (swarms often fly away between 24-48 hours? How large is the swarm (grapefruit, football, large watermelon)? If in the air, how high is the cluster (e.g is a ladder required)?
- Swarm Photos Please take a picture of the swarm to show the size and a picture to show the location.
For South county and coastal areas call: Bruce Terry at (805) 459-0762
For North County swarms call: Tim Ball at (805) 714-7142
Bruce and Tim maintain a database of beekeepers seeking free flying swarms and are in contact with the professionals which extract established colonies.
What is a swarm?
Honeybee swarms are not dangerous. When a colony is too big, the old queen takes half of the bees to a new home. The queen is not a strong flyer and so the swarm will take a rest temporarily in a “bivouac.” When bees are in their “bivouac”, they are easily and safely collected.
Report Swarms online — Fill out and submit this form.