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Bee Removal in Australia: Swarms, Hives, Varroa and Safe Removal

Bees on your property raise three questions: what kind of bee is it, is it a swarm or a hive, and who should deal with it. This guide answers them for Australian homes, with the current Varroa mite position, sting first aid, native stingless bees and the swarm rules from government sources. Last updated 23 October 2026.

General information only. This page is not medical or legal advice. Rules differ by state, so check your state agency before acting.

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What is bee removal?

Bee removal is the identification, removal and clean-up of a swarm or a settled hive found on or inside a property. Alpha Pest Control first works out what kind of bee is present, because the right action depends on it. A swarm is usually a short-term visitor that can be collected, a European honey bee hive in a wall or roof needs the bees, comb and honey removed and the opening sealed, and Australian native stingless bees are harmless and are referred to a stingless bee keeper. We explain what we find before any work starts. Leftover honey and comb draw ants, rodents and other bees, and they can rot and leak through plaster, so removal is not finished until the cavity is cleaned and closed. Do not spray, smoke or block the entrance yourself.

How do you tell a bee swarm from a hive?

A swarm is a temporary cluster of honey bees resting while scout bees look for a new home. It often hangs from a branch, fence post or the side of a building in a ball about the size of a football, and it can move on within a day or two. A hive is a lasting nest with comb, honey and a queen, and bees fly in and out of one opening all day, often through a gap in a wall, roof, chimney or tree hollow. Swarming is part of the natural life cycle of honey bees and mostly happens in spring, from September to November, although some colonies swarm in summer and autumn (WA DPIRD, 2018). Swarming bees are usually docile when left alone. A hive is different, because the bees defend the nest, so a hive in a wall or roof is a job for a professional.

What should you do if bees are on your property right now?

Keep people and animals well away from the bees, and do not spray, hose, smoke or throw anything at them. Those actions provoke the bees and make removal harder. If a swarm has just arrived, keep children and pets inside for about half an hour while the flying bees settle into a cluster, wear closed footwear if you go outside, and stay clear until it is removed. Note where the bees are, how big the cluster is and whether they are going in and out of a gap, then take photos from a safe distance. Do not block an entrance, because trapped bees look for another way out, often into the house. Call a pest controller, beekeeper or swarm collector as soon as you can, because a swarm that is left may settle into a wall, shed or other dark cavity.

How is a honey bee hive inside a wall removed?

A honey bee hive inside a wall is removed by opening the wall, ceiling or cavity at the right point, taking out the bees, and then clearing all comb and honey. First the colony is located and the entrance is identified, which often means listening at the wall and checking the roof space and outside surfaces. The affected section is opened carefully, the bees are removed, and the comb, honey and brood are cleared by hand so nothing is left to rot or leak. The cavity is then cleaned to remove the scent that draws other bees, and the entry gap is sealed. A builder may be needed to repair the lining afterwards. Honey left behind can attract ants, rodents and fresh swarms and can stain walls, which is why sealing the entrance alone is not enough. A large hive, or one that is high up or hard to reach, takes longer.

Where does Australia stand on Varroa mite?

Varroa mite is a parasite of European honey bees that was first detected in Australia in June 2022 at the Port of Newcastle, NSW. In September 2023 it was decided that eradication was no longer achievable, and the response moved to management (Outbreak.gov.au). The national Transition to Management program ended on 6 February 2026 (NSW DPI), and Agriculture Victoria says Varroa has spread across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia (Agriculture Victoria). The mite is about 1 mm across, reddish-brown and visible to the naked eye. It weakens bees, spreads viruses and can kill a colony, and Australian native bees are not affected. For a householder this does not change what to do about a swarm or a hive. State rules limit how bees and hive equipment can be moved, so leave handling to a beekeeper or pest controller.

What is the first aid for a bee sting in Australia?

Most bee stings cause sharp pain, redness and swelling that settle over a few days. Remove the sting as quickly as you can. healthdirect says the edge of a fingernail or a credit card works, and ASCIA says speed matters more than the method. Do not squeeze the sting. Wash the area, apply a cold pack so it does not touch the skin directly, and keep the area rested and raised. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, a spreading rash, collapse, or stomach pain and diarrhoea in the first hour. If any of these appear, use an adrenaline autoinjector if one is available, then call 000 for an ambulance. Swelling larger than 10 cm around the sting can be a large allergic reaction, so see a doctor. For advice, the Poisons Information Centre is on 13 11 26.

Are Australian native stingless bees dangerous?

Australian native stingless bees are small black bees, about 4 mm long, that live in large social colonies, usually in hollows inside large living or dead trees. They belong to the genera Tetragonula and Austroplebeia, and the Australian Native Bee Research Centre describes them as quite harmless (Aussie Bee). In far northern Australia some species nest in wall cavities and flower pots. They are not affected by Varroa mite and they do not need to be removed for safety reasons. If you find a nest, check what kind of bee it is first, because destroying a harmless native colony is avoidable. A stingless bee keeper can often rescue a nest from a fallen tree or a spot where it must move, and removing nests from national parks and nature reserves is not permitted. Alpha Pest Control refers native stingless bee nests to a stingless bee keeper.

Who should you call: a beekeeper, a swarm collector or a pest controller?

Match the call to the situation. A fresh swarm clustered on a branch or fence can often be collected by a beekeeper or swarm collector, and in Western Australia the Western Australian Apiarists Society keeps a list of swarm collectors. A settled hive in a wall, roof or chimney usually needs a pest controller, because the cavity must be opened, cleaned and sealed. A native stingless bee nest is better handled by a stingless bee keeper. State agriculture departments do not remove swarms for householders, and the WA department says so on its swarm page (page last updated January 2018). If you are unsure which situation you have, photograph the bees from a distance and call us. We identify the bee first, explain what we see, and tell you which option fits your property and your situation.

Bee removal by city

Alpha Pest Control services Australian states and territories. Pick your city for detail on how removal works.

  • Bee control Melbourne (VIC)

    Swarms are most common across the suburbs in spring. Agriculture Victoria says Varroa has spread across Victoria, so beekeepers and pest controllers handle bees and hive equipment with care. See bee control in Melbourne.

  • Bee control Sydney (NSW)

    NSW is where Varroa was first detected in 2022. During the emergency response, NSW DPI ran a program to remove wild European honey bees in zones in the Hunter region, and the response has since moved to management. See bee control in Sydney.

  • Bee control Brisbane (QLD)

    Honey bees and native stingless bees both turn up in Brisbane homes, and telling them apart decides what happens next. Agriculture Victoria lists Queensland among the states where Varroa has spread. See bee control in Brisbane.

  • Bee control Perth (WA)

    The Western Australian Apiarists Society keeps a list of swarm collectors. Our Perth page explains when a collector is enough and when a nest needs removal. See bee control in Perth.

  • Bee control Adelaide (SA)

    Swarm season runs through spring. Agriculture Victoria lists South Australia among the states where Varroa has spread, and our Adelaide page explains who to call and how removal works. See bee control in Adelaide.

  • Bee control Canberra (ACT)

    Swarm season can start later in cooler areas, and a hive in a wall or roof is the usual reason for a call. Our Canberra page explains the options. See bee control in Canberra.

  • Bee control Hobart (TAS)

    Biosecurity Tasmania says restrictions on importing bees, apiary products and used equipment are in place to prevent Varroa entering the state. Our Hobart page explains how removal works. See bee control in Hobart.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bee swarm and a hive?

A swarm is a temporary cluster of honey bees resting in the open while scouts look for a new home. A hive is a lasting nest with comb and honey, usually inside a wall, roof, chimney or tree hollow. A swarm can move on within days, while a hive stays and needs removal.

Is a bee swarm dangerous?

Swarming bees are usually docile when left alone, because they have no nest to defend. The risk rises if people spray, hose, smoke or throw things at them. Keep people and pets away and call for removal.

How long does a bee swarm stay?

A swarm often stays a day or two while scout bees search for a new home, and it may stay several days in wet weather. If it is left, it may settle into a wall cavity, shed or other dark space and become a hive.

When is bee swarm season in Australia?

Swarming mostly happens in spring, from September to November, although some colonies swarm in summer and autumn. Most swarms move between 10 am and 2 pm on warm, sunny days. In cooler areas the season can start later.

Can I remove a bee hive from my wall myself?

We advise against it. A hive in a wall means opening the cavity, removing the bees and clearing all comb and honey, and do-it-yourself attempts provoke the bees. The WA department also advises against removing swarms yourself.

Do you kill the bees or rehome them?

It depends on the situation. A fresh swarm in a tree can often be collected by a beekeeper. A settled hive inside a wall usually needs removal. Native stingless bees are referred to a stingless bee keeper. We tell you which option fits after identifying the bee.

Do you remove the honey and comb?

Yes. Comb and honey left in a cavity can attract ants, rodents and other bees, and they can rot and leak through the wall lining. Removal includes clearing them, cleaning the cavity and sealing the entry gap.

Do you remove native stingless bees?

Native stingless bees are harmless and are not removed for safety reasons. We refer nests to a stingless bee keeper. The Australian Native Bee Research Centre says stingless bee keepers can rescue nests that must move.

How do I tell a honey bee from a native stingless bee or a wasp?

A European honey bee is about 12 to 15 mm long and golden-brown with fine hairs. A native stingless bee is small and black, about 4 mm long. A wasp is slimmer with a smooth body and brighter yellow and black bands. If you are unsure, send us a photo.

Does Varroa mite make bees more dangerous?

No. Varroa is a bee-health problem, not a sting-safety problem. It weakens European honey bees and can kill colonies, and native bees are not affected. It is the reason beekeepers and pest controllers handle bees and hive equipment with care.

What should I do if I am stung?

Remove the sting quickly, wash the area and apply a cold pack. If there is swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, a spreading rash or collapse, use an adrenaline autoinjector if available and call 000. This is general information, not medical advice.

How much does bee removal cost?

The cost depends on whether it is a swarm or a hive, how big the colony is, how high and how hard to reach, and whether the wall or ceiling needs opening and repair. Call us with photos and the suburb, and we will confirm what is included in the quote.

Sources

Call Alpha Pest Control for bee removal

Bees on your property or in the wall? Call Alpha Pest Control on 0480090776 or send a message with your suburb and a photo. We will identify the bees and give you a clear price before any removal begins.

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