Swarms of honey bees can look frightening, but honey bees are usually not aggressive at this stage of their life cycle. The swarming bees lack a hive to defend and they are more interested in finding a new nesting location for their queen.

Beekeepers are often called to capture swarms. There are various methods to capture a swarm.

Click this link for photos of beekeepers capturing swarms.

In the first few hours after a swarm arrives and forms a cluster, it is relatively easy to capture the swarm in a box. Some beekeepers use swarm traps with pheromone lures to attract swarms.

It is best to call a beekeeper as soon as possible. The longer a swarm remains at a location, the more difficult it is to remove the swarm.

Here is a list of experienced beekeepers who may be called to capture swarms in their local areas:

Wayne Kramer: Free honey bee swarm removal in Northern Kalamazoo, Southern Barry and Southern Allegan counties. Sorry - no bees removed from walls of buildings or trunks of trees.
Cell: 269-370-8595
Home: 269-383-8411
Work: 269-833-6785
Located in Richland, Michigan

Sheldon Schwitek: Free honey bee swarm removal in Allegan, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph Counties. Also honey bee cut-outs and removal of hives from buildings.
Cell Phone: 269-330-2305, the best way to reach me!
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web Site: http://blog.beesnug.com/
Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Jim Smothers: Free honey bee swarm removal for Van Buren, Allegan,  Berrien, and Ottawa counties
Home phone (269) 639-7462
Cell phone (269)767-2916
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Located in South Haven, Michigan

Ken Hoekstra at J&K Apiaries: Free honey bee swarm removal in Kent and Allegan Counties. Honey for sale.
Cell Phone: 269-217-6401
Home Phone: 269-793-4611
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Located at Hopkins, Michigan - just south of Wayland

Jeremy Marr: Free honey bee swarm removal in Kalamazoo County.
Web Site: Tanglewood Hollow
Cell Phone: 269-207-6110
Home Phone: 269-978-0899
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (email gets forwarded to cell, so please include contact phone # in 1st sentence of your message)

Jason Byler: Free swarm removal in Northern Kalamazoo, Barry, Allegan, and Southern Kent Counties. Will check out colonies in buildings and trees as well as free-flying swarms.
Cell Phone: 269-204-2035
Home Phone: 269-672-5866
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Located at Martin, Michigan. Jason Byler is an interpretive naturalist at a local nature center, and is available to make presentations about bees.

Jack Tomanica: Free honey bee swarm removal in Muskegon, Ottawa and Kent Counties.
Phone: 231-853-6371
Located at Nunica, Michigan

Robert Johnson: Free honey bee swarm removal in Ionia County. Also honey bee cut-outs and removal of hives from buildings.
Cell Phone: 616-841-1083, the best way to reach me!
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Located in Clarksville, Michigan

Dennis Waltz: Free honey bee swarm removal in Eaton, Clinton and Ingham counties.
Phone: 517-282-2904
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Located right in the center of those three counties.
Available any time.

Jordan Mowbray: Free honey bee swarm removal in Arenac County and northern Bay County
Phone: 989-846-0211
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mazin Malallah: Free honey bee swarm removal in Wayne County
Phone: 734-922-3640
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Located in Huron Township

Tim Byers: Free honey bee swarm removal from Detroit to Flint and all of Thumb area. Honey bee cut-outs and removal of hives from buildings.
Phone: 810-434-5484
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Located at Melvin, Michigan

If you don't find a beekeeper on this list who serves your area, please call your Michigan Beekeepers Association District Representative who will help you locate a local beekeeper. Click the link for a list.