Beehive Removed From a Barbecue Grill in Riverside, CA
A Riverside homeowner opened their barbecue grill and found a massive amount of bees — 10,000+, with a 50-lb hive inside. We caught the queen and relocated the entire colony alive.
- Bees
- 10,000+
- Hive weight
- 50 lbs
- Queen caught
- Yes
- Difficulty
- 3 / 5
- Price range
- $400
- Date
- July 12, 2026
About This Job
One of the most common calls we get in summer starts the same way: someone goes to use a barbecue they haven't touched in a few weeks and finds it humming. This Riverside grill, parked under a citrus tree, had become a full-blown hive — 10,000-plus bees and a 50-pound comb built across the grate and up under the lid (the photo says it all).
An unused grill is close to a perfect hive cavity: shaded, dry, enclosed, and left completely alone. We opened it up, caught the queen, and removed the comb and colony alive, then cleared the grill of every trace of wax and scent so the bees wouldn't simply move back into it. A solid 3-out-of-5 job, mostly because of how much comb was packed into a small metal box.
It's a good save on a grill the owner would otherwise have had to throw out — and a reminder of how fast an unused corner of the yard becomes prime real estate for a swarm.
- Location
- Riverside — Riverside, CA
- Removed from
- Barbecue grill
- Service
- Live Honeybee Removal & Relocation
- Price range
- $400
Preventing the Next Swarm
“Always keep a cover over your BBQ grill so it doesn't turn into a beehive.”
How to keep it from happening again
- Fire up or at least open a rarely-used grill every so often — activity and heat make it a far less attractive place for a colony to settle.
- The same goes for any enclosed outdoor cavity: water-meter boxes, valve boxes, empty planters, and unused BBQ islands are all common nesting spots.
- If you spot a few bees scouting around the grill, deal with it early — a cover and a quick check beats a 50-pound hive later.
Take Action Today
Don't let pests disrupt your peace of mind. Bee and wasp infestations can lead to property damage and safety concerns. We act swiftly to provide effective solutions that protect your home and the environment.