Got a Swarm?
Use this checklist to report a swarm.
When bees are swarming they are generally docile. They will merely find a suitable spot to gather, as a temporary measure, while they send out scout bees to find a more permanent location as a new home. They are not too choosy about where this temporary spot will be, it could be in a tree/bush, on a clothesline, a fence, a bicycle, anywhere that they can land to form a cluster to protect their queen. If the honey bees seem to have made a home already, such as, in a tree or inside a structure (wall, roof, etc) they are an established colony. Removing an established colony is a Trap Out (TO) or Cut Out (CO) situation.
All beekeepers on the list below are swarm collectors. Only those with Trap Out (TO) or Cut Out (CO) in the notes should contacted for removal of established colonies.
Expect the beekeeper you call to ask questions to determine next steps.
Notes to make:
- Are they honey bees or other similar insects?
- Where are the bees?
- How high above the ground?
- What size is the swarm? (tennis ball, basketball, etc)
- How long it has been in this spot?
- Take photos to help indicate cluster size, location details, site considerations (power lines, slopes, obstructions, etc).
Bees that have recently settled and clustered together are a swarm. If the bees have been living there for a while, it is an established colony
If the bees are not on your property, you will need to provide the beekeeper with contact info for the person who owns the property or the tenant. SABA posts names for swarm collection as a public service, any arrangements made are between you and the beekeeper that agrees to do the collection. SABA does not employ, recommend or endorse any beekeeper’s skill, training or expertise. Please check with individual beekeepers for their qualifications.
Sit back, watch and wait for the beekeeper to arrive. Any beekeeper will tell you that there is something very magical about a swarm. There is an electric feeling in the air, as the bees swirl round before clustering in a ball. Watching a swarm being collected is an experience that you will not soon forget!
Use our geographically oriented Swarm List to identify a beekeeper who is willing to travel to the area where the swarm is located. The beekeepers listed may not be able to help you immediately, you may (will probably) have to make a few calls to find someone available to help. Leave clear, concise voicemails with your contact information and location of the swarm. If the person you call cannot respond in a timely manner, tell them that you will try the next person on the list. Scout bees in the swarm are actively looking for a new home and may leave your location within a few hours. We hope that you think that it is worthwhile to patiently partner with the beekeeper(s) that you call to work together to save the bees!
Share your positive experience with bees and beekeepers with others! Bees often get negative press and we want to make sure that more people learn more about these amazing insects. Please consider donating to SABA using the button below or completing the donation form that the responding beekeeper provides to give online or mail a donation. Your contributions make this swarm list possible!
Support the SABA Swarm List!
Find a Swarm Collector
This list of beekeepers is compiled from information submitted to us by the individuals who appear on this list. The Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association does not employ or represent any of the individuals on this list. Some, but not all, may be members of the Association. The list is in no way a recommendation or endorsement of the beekeeper’s skill, training or experience. Please check with individual beekeepers for their qualifications.
Beekeepers listed below have volunteered to be available for calls at any time, unless otherwise noted.
Need help with a swarm in an area not listed? See the California State Beekeepers Association list of Affiliated Clubs in all areas of California to find a club or association near you.
| Name | Contact Info | Availability Notes |
|---|---|---|
Arden/Arcade | ||
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tom Storelli Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-834-3756 |
No Restrictions |
|
Alex Young |
916-541-0833 |
No Restrictions |
|
Louis Zurlo Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-698-6800 |
Weekends Only |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jay Bucknell |
-916-7647514 |
No Restrictions |
|
Victoria Alvarez |
-916-8331424 |
No Restrictions |
Carmichael | ||
|
Jay Bucknell |
-916-7647514 |
No Restrictions |
|
Alex Young |
916-541-0833 |
No Restrictions |
|
Victoria Alvarez |
-916-8331424 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
Citrus Heights/Orangevale | ||
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tom Storelli Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-834-3756 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
Fred Haelig Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-247-2620 |
No Restrictions |
|
Amy Green |
916-661-9235 |
No Restrictions |
|
Carole Garrett Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-496-4093 |
Evenings, Weekends Only |
Davis/Woodland | ||
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Doug Houck |
530-400-8056 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
El Dorado Hills | ||
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Carole Garrett Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-496-4093 |
Evenings, Weekends Only |
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
Elk Grove/Delta | ||
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Pete Knight Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
209-366-3462 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
James Deaton Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-868-8327 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Paul Lockhart Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-813-2937 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Ginger Shepherd Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
209-298-2081 |
No Restrictions |
Fair Oaks/Carmichael | ||
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Carole Garrett Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-496-4093 |
Evenings, Weekends Only |
|
Victoria Alvarez |
-916-8331424 |
No Restrictions |
|
Amy Green |
916-661-9235 |
No Restrictions |
|
Louis Zurlo Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-698-6800 |
Weekends Only |
|
Tom Storelli Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-834-3756 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jay Bucknell |
-916-7647514 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Fred Haelig Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-247-2620 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
Folsom/Hwy 50 | ||
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Victoria Alvarez |
-916-8331424 |
No Restrictions |
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Fred Haelig Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-247-2620 |
No Restrictions |
|
Carole Garrett Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-496-4093 |
Evenings, Weekends Only |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tom Storelli Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-834-3756 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
Lodi/Galt | ||
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Paul Lockhart Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-813-2937 |
No Restrictions |
|
Pete Knight Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
209-366-3462 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
Loomis/Rocklin | ||
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Fred Haelig Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-247-2620 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
Manteca | ||
|
Ginger Shepherd Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
209-298-2081 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
Other | ||
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Paul Lockhart Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-813-2937 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
Roseville/Hwy 80/65 | ||
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tom Storelli Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-834-3756 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Fred Haelig Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees |
916-247-2620 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
Sacramento Area | ||
|
Wally Westlake Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-813-1005 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jeff Goding Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-502-7556 |
No Restrictions |
|
Tiffany White |
916-342-0950 |
No Restrictions |
|
Paul Lockhart Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-813-2937 |
No Restrictions |
|
Louis Zurlo Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-698-6800 |
Weekends Only |
|
Victoria Alvarez |
-916-8331424 |
No Restrictions |
|
Jay Bucknell |
-916-7647514 |
No Restrictions |
|
James Deaton Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees |
916-868-8327 |
No Restrictions |
|
Dave Watson Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents |
916-798-8550 |
No Restrictions |
|
Kevin Biddick Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-877-4338 |
No Restrictions |
|
Bar Shacterman Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-961-5049 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
DW Schoenthal Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-607-9595 | |
Stockton | ||
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |
|
Pete Knight Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
209-366-3462 |
No Restrictions |
Wilton/Harold | ||
|
Paul Lockhart Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees |
916-813-2937 |
No Restrictions |
|
Blake Dacy Trap-out or Cut-Out: Building Surfaces, Buildings, Fences, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees, Trees up to 10' high |
-916-8493528 |
No Restrictions |