A swarm on a branch in the yard, honey bees going in and out of the siding, buzzing inside a wall? Silver Bullet Pest Control captures live honey bee colonies and relocates them whenever it is safe and practical. We confirm it really is honey bees first, and once the bees and comb are out, the spot is sealed so a new colony doesn’t move in.
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Not sure if they’re honey bees? Text us a photo from a safe distance and we’ll tell you.
Call Silver Bullet Pest Control at 973-510-2585, a licensed New Jersey exterminator (NJ License 90568B) that captures live honey bee colonies and relocates them whenever it is safe and practical in South Orange and across Essex County. We first confirm the species, since honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees and wasps all need different handling. When relocation is not safe, such as a colony deep in a wall or next to heavy foot traffic, targeted treatment may be needed, and the comb still has to come out. Once the bees and comb are gone, we seal entry points so the same spot isn’t reused. Same-day visits are often available, and we speak Spanish.
South Orange is an Essex County village of older homes, mature shade trees and big gardens, right next to the South Mountain Reservation. Old trees, flowering yards and the gaps in older siding and rooflines give honey bees plenty of places to swarm and settle. These are three common cases.
Older South Orange houses often have gaps at soffits, roof returns and siding where a colony can move in. When we can reach the comb safely, the colony is removed alive and relocated. Getting to the comb usually means opening part of the wall or soffit, so that opening and the repair afterward are planned and quoted in advance.
A swarm is a colony looking for a new home, and it is usually calm. Don’t spray it. Called early, a swarm is often the easiest bee relocation, before the bees pick a wall to move into.
Not every bee is a honey bee. Carpenter bees drill into wood trim and decks, while mason and bumble bees are calm, solitary or small-colony bees. Each one is handled differently.
Relocation is for honey bees. Knowing what you have tells us what to bring and how to handle it.
| Insect | What it looks like | Where it lives | Can it be relocated? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey bee | Fuzzy, golden-brown, rounder body | Wall voids, tree hollows, swarms on branches | Yes, whenever safe and practical |
| Bumble bee | Large, very fuzzy, black and yellow | Ground cavities, insulation, under decks | Depends on the exact nest location |
| Carpenter bee | Large, shiny black abdomen | Holes drilled in wood trim and decks | No, the holes are treated and sealed |
| Mason or solitary bee | Small, calm, often dark or metallic | Small holes in wood, soil or masonry | Usually left alone unless a risk |
| Wasp or hornet | Smooth, slimmer, bright stripes or black and white | Paper nests under eaves, in trees or the ground | No, these are treated or removed |
Found a swarm or a colony? Keep a safe distance and don’t spray it. Spraying kills bees that could have been saved and makes the colony harder to relocate. Never plug or seal the hole while bees are still inside. If someone who was stung has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or feels dizzy, call 911.
We identify the bees and look at where the colony or swarm is and how risky it is for people nearby.
We explain whether relocation is safe and practical or treatment is needed, and tell you the price before any work starts.
We capture the swarm or remove the colony alive and relocate it. If relocation isn’t safe, we use targeted treatment, and the comb and honey still have to come out so they don’t melt or draw other pests.
Once the bees and comb are out, we seal the entry point and point out attractants, so a new colony doesn’t move into the same spot.
The main swarm season. Colonies split and clusters show up on branches, fences and shrubs.
Peak activity in gardens, trees and around houses. Colonies in walls grow and get louder.
Some nests get more defensive as flowers fade. A colony in a wall is still there and still active.
Honey bees cluster inside the wall to stay warm. A good time to plan removal and fix gaps before spring.
A swarm by an entrance or a colony in a building wall needs quick, careful handling when people pass by every day. We handle bees for schools, apartment buildings, offices and storefronts. See commercial pest control.
It depends on the species, where the colony is, how high it is, how big it is and whether it is inside a wall or soffit. We give a free quote and tell you the price before any work starts. See what affects bee removal cost.
Tell us what you’re seeing and where. We’ll get back to you fast, usually the same business day.
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Yes. We relocate honey bees whenever it is safe and practical. Wasps and hornets are treated or removed instead.
Honey bees are fuzzy and golden-brown with a rounder body. Wasps are smoother, slimmer and often brightly striped. Text us a photo and we'll tell you.
Keep a safe distance and don't spray it. Swarms are usually calm, but they should still be handled by a professional, and calling early makes relocation easier.
Yes. Honey bees can set up colonies in wall cavities, tree hollows and other voids. Buzzing inside a wall or heavy traffic at one gap are the common signs.
Spring is the main season for swarms and new colonies. Summer brings peak activity around yards, gardens and houses.
Sí, hablamos español. Reubicamos abejas de miel vivas cuando es seguro y práctico en South Orange y todo el condado de Essex. Llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585.
Humane bee relocation and bee removal in South Orange and nearby Essex County towns.
Updated October 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B
