Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club

Updated June 5, 2012

There's a big ball of bees hanging out in my yard. What do I do?

What you're seeing is probably a swarm of honey bees.  Swarming is Nature’s way of increasing the number of honey bee colonies in the world. Swarms usually are seen in May or June.  This year's mild winter and warm spring has given local honey bees a leg up and so you may see swarms earlier or more often than in the past.

When airborne they seem huge but generally range in size from a football to a basketball. Some are much larger. Honey bee swarms are usually very docile, not having a home to defend. They are often observed in transit.

These migrating swarms are very desirable to beekeepers who like to collect swarms. Once they take up residence in a wall or chimney, they are much harder to deal with. Many beekeepers do not have the skill or inclination to tackle the removal of bees from such predicaments. Ultimately, if honey bees get into your walls, you may have to call an exterminator.

Bees, once on your property, belong to you and you can do with them what you see fit. They are not an endangered species, nor is it illegal to kill them it they become a nuisance. We hope you will give our beekeepers a chance to rescue them, however.

Please do not call beekeepers about hornets, wasps, bumble bees, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, termites or spiders. Honey bees are recognized by their small size and their downy appearance. Other insects may be similar in color. If you're not sure, a web page like this can help you distinguish honey bees from hornets and wasps.

NOTE:  Only a few beekeepers will tackle bee removal from buildings or structures.  Look for the image to find one if you want bees out of a house, barn, shed, et cetera.

Caroline, etc

Erica Frenay: 607-255-9911

Danby, Willseyville, etc

David Hopkins: 607-220-7400

Peter Loring Borst: 607-280-4253

Dryden East (Dryden, Freeville, etc)

Tammy Fazzi and Hank Czerwick: 607-844-9545, 607-745-3884 (c) Note: will do cutouts

Maxwell Kraft: (607) 342-1168 (cell)

Dryden West (Ithaca, Varna, Ellis Hollow, Slaterville, Harford)

Nancy Munkenbeck: 607-351-0113 (cell), 607-539-7902 (home) Note: will do cutouts

Mark Owkes: 315-271-6481 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ithaca, Cayuga Heights, etc

Lesli Sagan:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Georg Jander: 607-254-1365 (work), 607-257-5804 (home)

Rick Kaufman:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joseph Steuer: 607-229-7511,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hannah Whitehead (especially downtown and South Hill): (585) 217-1576 (cell),  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Susan McCutcheon:  (607) 272-4468 (home), (607) 351-5136 (cell)

Michael Smith:  281-686-4717, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jason Hamilton: (607) 351-0225 (cell)

Donald Specker (East Hill area): 607-227-4090

Lansing, Groton, Genoa, Locke, etc

Bob Kozlowzki: 607-533-4639

Mecklenbert/Hector

Kara Cusolito (Dryden East or West): 508-274-1375

Newfield, Enfield, West Danby, etc

Ed Kaiser: 607-564-3662

Martha Brewster: 607-564-9569

Charles Mosher: 564-7001 -  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ulysses, Trumansburg, etc

Barb Dewall: 607-387-9603

Marvin and Kevin Pritts: 387-6010

North Ulysses, Hector, Lodi, Covert, Ovid and Romulus

Duane Waid: 607-532-4391

Bob Romick: 607-664-7939 (Cell)

Clyde, 10 mile radius

John Homan: 315-923-9750

Horseheads/Elmira

Jason Samson: (607) 425-7891

Minoa - Kirkville - Fayetteville area

John Ferguson : 315-503-1818

Cortland County

Rick Alexander 607-836-6954: will do swarms in Cortland county as well as cut-outs, and trap outs; 7 yrs experience. Outside of Cortland county there is a gas surcharge otherwise estimates are free.

Nancy Munkenbeck: 607-351-0113 (cell), 607-539-7902 (home) Note: will do cutouts

Tompkins County

Nancy Munkenbeck: 607-351-0113 (cell), 607-539-7902 (home) Note: will do cutouts