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:

  1. Are they honey bees or other similar insects?
  2. Where are the bees?
  3. How high above the ground?
  4. What size is the swarm? (tennis ball, basketball, etc)
  5. How long it has been in this spot?
  6. 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!

Is It A Honey Bee?

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

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
Wally Westlake
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-813-1005 No Restrictions
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 No Restrictions
Tiffany White
916-342-0950 No Restrictions
Tom Storelli
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-834-3756 No Restrictions
Louis Zurlo
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-698-6800 Weekends Only
Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
Kevin Biddick
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees
617-528-0482 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
Bar Shacterman
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-961-5049 No Restrictions
Alex Young
916-541-0833 No Restrictions
Jay Bucknell
-916-7647514 No Restrictions
Victoria Alvarez
-916-8331424 No Restrictions

Carmichael

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
Alex Young
916-541-0833 No Restrictions
Victoria Alvarez
-916-8331424 No Restrictions
Jay Bucknell
-916-7647514 No Restrictions

Citrus Heights/Orangevale

Jeff Goding
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-502-7556 No Restrictions
DW Schoenthal
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-607-9595
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
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
617-528-0482 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
Amy Green
916-661-9235 No Restrictions
Carole Garrett
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-496-4093 Evenings, Weekends Only
Fred Haelig
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-247-2620 No Restrictions
Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 No Restrictions

Davis/Woodland

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
Jeff Goding
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-502-7556 No Restrictions
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
Bar Shacterman
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-961-5049 No Restrictions

El Dorado Hills

Wally Westlake
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-813-1005 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
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 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
617-528-0482 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

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
DW Schoenthal
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-607-9595
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
Paul Lockhart
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-813-2937 No Restrictions
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 No Restrictions
Ginger Shepherd
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
209-298-2081 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

Fair Oaks/Carmichael

Carole Garrett
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-496-4093 Evenings, Weekends Only
Tiffany White
916-342-0950 No Restrictions
Victoria Alvarez
-916-8331424 No Restrictions
Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
Jeff Goding
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-502-7556 No Restrictions
Amy Green
916-661-9235 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
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
Wally Westlake
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-813-1005 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
617-528-0482 No Restrictions
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 No Restrictions
Jay Bucknell
-916-7647514 No Restrictions
Louis Zurlo
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-698-6800 Weekends Only
Fred Haelig
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-247-2620 No Restrictions

Folsom/Hwy 50

Jeff Goding
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-502-7556 No Restrictions
DW Schoenthal
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-607-9595
Tiffany White
916-342-0950 No Restrictions
Dave Watson
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents
916-798-8550 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
Kevin Biddick
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees
617-528-0482 No Restrictions
Fred Haelig
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-247-2620 No Restrictions
Victoria Alvarez
-916-8331424 No Restrictions
Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
Carole Garrett
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-496-4093 Evenings, Weekends Only
Wally Westlake
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-813-1005 No Restrictions
Tom Storelli
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-834-3756 No Restrictions

Lodi/Galt

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
Bar Shacterman
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-961-5049 No Restrictions

Loomis/Rocklin

Bar Shacterman
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-961-5049 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
Kevin Biddick
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees
617-528-0482 No Restrictions
DW Schoenthal
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-607-9595
Fred Haelig
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-247-2620 No Restrictions

Manteca

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
Ginger Shepherd
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
209-298-2081 No Restrictions

Other

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
DW Schoenthal
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-607-9595

Roseville/Hwy 80/65

Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
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
Kevin Biddick
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees
617-528-0482 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
Tiffany White
916-342-0950 No Restrictions
Fred Haelig
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-247-2620 No Restrictions
Tom Storelli
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Trees
916-834-3756 No Restrictions
Jeff Goding
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Other, Other Bees, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-502-7556 No Restrictions

Sacramento Area

Kevin Biddick
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Traffic Accidents, Trees
617-528-0482 No Restrictions
Paul Lockhart
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-813-2937 No Restrictions
Tina Macuha
916-761-0185 No Restrictions
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
Tiffany White
916-342-0950 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
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
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
James Deaton
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, Trees
916-868-8327 No Restrictions

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

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
Paul Lockhart
Trap-out or Cut-Out: Buildings, High Above Ground, Traffic Accidents, Trees
916-813-2937 No Restrictions