Honey bees are social insects with a highly-structured system of behaviors and communication.  These groups of bees are called colonies, and are lead by the "queen".  When bee colonies grow too large for their hive, they will swarm as a group, looking for a bigger, more-suitable home. This is normal behavior and happens most frequently in the spring. Because the bees have no babies (brood), food (honey) or home to protect, they are usually quite docile and don't pose a threat. Humans often (wrongly) think these swarms are dangerous: if you see a cluster of bees in your yard or house, PLEASE don't spray, kill or disrupt them!  1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat, and 90% of all crops, are possible only because of these critical pollinators!  The Katy High School Beekeeping Club will gladly remove your swarm and rehome them safely to our apiary.  Submit a removal request by scrolling to the contact form below!

These sweet bees made a cozy home inside a tree; when it is too hot inside the hive, bees will cluster outside the entrance.  This is called "bearding".  Because the bees were so far into the tree, and so high up (and not bothersome!), we recommended to the homeowner that we leave this hive undisturbed.  (Notice all the beautiful flowers the bees have pollinated!)

This colony of bees had spent 1 full year building into the insulation of the attic when the homeowner discovered them!  This job was too complex for our club, as it required cutting into the wall and patching.  We referred this homeowner to professional, Mark Lockhart.

These bees were neatly tucked under the stairs of a playset.  We removed the comb and bees, and rehomed then to our beeyard.