30,000-Bee External Colony Removed in Palm Desert, CA
A massive external colony — around 30,000 bees and a 60-lb comb — had established itself on a Palm Desert roof edge. We removed the full hive and relocated the colony alive.
- Bees
- 30,000
- Hive weight
- 60 lbs
- Queen caught
- Yes
- Difficulty
- 4 / 5
- Price range
- $450
- Date
- July 12, 2026
About This Job
Most colonies hide inside a wall or a box. This one in Palm Desert built completely in the open, hanging a full set of parallel honeycombs off the underside of a tile roof edge — the kind of exposed, textbook comb structure you rarely get to see intact (it's all right there in the photo).
By the time we arrived it was a mature colony: around 30,000 bees and roughly 60 pounds of comb. A hive that size and that exposed has to come down methodically — we removed the combs in sections, kept the brood intact so the colony would survive the move, and secured the queen, because without her the bees won't stay put wherever they're relocated. The crew logged it a 4 out of 5 for difficulty.
Every bee came out alive and went to a beekeeper rather than a spray can — 30,000 pollinators back at work instead of a poisoned hive left to rot in the eave. It's exactly the outcome live removal exists for.
- Location
- Palm Desert — Palm Desert, CA
- Removed from
- Exposed colony under a tile roof edge
- Service
- Live Honeybee Removal
- Price range
- $450
Preventing the Next Swarm
“Keep an eye on your home to make sure bees aren't building.”
How to keep it from happening again
- Do a quick walk-around of your property every couple of weeks in spring and summer, when swarming activity peaks.
- Clear away clutter, stacked materials, and unused containers where a colony can start building out of sight.
- A cluster the size of a football that seems to appear overnight is a swarm choosing a home — that's the moment to call, before it becomes a 60-pound hive.
Bee problem in Palm Desert?
We work Palm Desert and the surrounding area regularly. See how we handle Palm Desert bee removal — or reach out for a free quote.
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.