The Buzz in Josh’s Backyard: A Bee Removal Adventure in Las Vegas
We received an invite from our good friend Dave to help out with an exciting bee removal in a fig tree. As seasoned beekeepers, tree hives are always a special challenge—they can be fun, unpredictable, and require quick thinking. You never quite know what you’ll find until you get into the thick of it, and this fig tree was no exception.
A Sunday Start: Brunch and Bees
After finishing a leisurely Sunday brunch (because let’s face it, Sundays and brunch go hand in hand), we headed to Josh’s house, a Las Vegas resident who had discovered a bustling hive in his backyard. With the warm spring weather arriving in full force, the bees around town are becoming more active, and Josh’s hive was thriving—perhaps a little too much for his liking!
Josh's fig tree had become home to around 25,000 bees. While sharing your yard with these industrious pollinators sounds picturesque, the reality in a small Las Vegas backyard is a bit trickier.
There’s only so much space for a fig tree, patio furniture, and a hive that size! Throw in a few swarms of bees, and suddenly that cozy outdoor BBQ spot feels less like an oasis and more like a buzzing challenge.
Enter the Fig Tree: A Bee Haven
Josh’s fig tree was struggling, nearly dead in fact, and the hive had fully claimed it as their own. With bees everywhere, lounging outside with a fresh slice of watermelon was not happening for Josh. So, with tools in hand, we got to work.
It was clear that this would be a big job, one that required the help of a chainsaw.
As soon as Dave fired up the saw and started pruning back branches, we knew we were dealing with something special. These bees were incredibly calm.
Usually, after cutting into their home, bees get defensive—it’s their natural instinct to protect the hive. But these ladies were cool, calm, and collected. A beekeeper's dream!
Unveiling the Hive: A Sweet Surprise
Once we had exposed the hive, the real work began. Dave started carefully cutting out the giant combs that had formed within the fig tree. What a sight! The combs were massive—beautiful brood combs, carefully crafted by the colony.
Each comb told the story of a thriving queen and her dedicated workers. We started transferring these combs into a Langstroth 10-frame hive box, stringing them up to give the bees a new, cozy home. The hive box was filling up fast, and we prioritized the brood combs to ensure the new hive would have everything they needed to thrive.
The queen, ever the efficient ruler, was easy to spot. She had been doing a fantastic job keeping this colony buzzing along, and we made sure to transfer her to the new hive safely. With the queen in place, the rest of the bees began their mesmerizing "march" into the hive box—a sight that never fails to amaze me.
Watching the entire colony follow their queen into a new home is one of those moments that reaffirms why I love this work.
A Job Well Done: Room for a BBQ
After the bees had all made their way into the box, we let them settle in and get comfortable. Once the transition was complete, we moved them to one of Dave’s apiaries, nestled near prime foraging spots in the Las Vegas Valley. It was clear this colony would continue to thrive, thanks to their powerhouse queen and the plentiful resources nearby.
As for Josh, he finally has his backyard back! With the bees safely relocated, Josh now has room for his BBQ grill and maybe even a hammock. No more dodging bees while trying to relax outdoors!
Why Do We Need Bee Removals?
It’s always bittersweet when we have to remove a hive, especially from someone’s property. But in places like Las Vegas, where backyards are small and space is tight, it can be tricky to coexist with a thriving beehive.
Developers don’t seem to give much thought to larger yards that could accommodate a hive without conflict. Some of our clients who live on larger plots of land are able to keep their bees, and we help them set up a hive safely away from their house and patio areas. But in the city, most folks don’t have that option, and that’s where we come in.
In the end, this removal was a win-win. Josh regained his outdoor space, and the bees found a new home where they could continue to do what they do best—pollinate, produce honey, and keep their queen happy.
Every removal reminds me why we love this work: it’s not just about relocating bees, it’s about creating harmony between people and nature, one hive at a time.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.