PMBA Swarm Rescue Hotline

877-741-BEEs

(877-741-2337)


Before calling to report a swarm, review the below "Is It A Honey Bee Swarm?"

  • PMBA cannot offer structural removals of established honeybee nests (such as siding or chimneys). 
  • PMBA beekeepers do not remove or exterminate bumblebee, wasp, or hornet nests.
  • We currently have no beekeepers that can respond to a swarm at a height greater than 26 feet from the ground.


What to expect when you Call

1) The automated answering machine will ask you for the address, crossroads or nearby landmark of the swarm.  You will record this message and then be prompted to push #

2) The automated answering machine will ask for the city  location of the swarm

  • 1 is for cities starting with A-C   Aloha, Beavercreek, Beaverton, Boring, Canby, Clackamas
  • 2 is for cities starting with D-H  Damascus, Dundee, Estacada, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro
  • 3 is for cities starting with L-M  Lake Oswego, McMinnville, Milwaukie, Mulino
  • 4 is for cities starting with O-S  Oregon City, Portland NE, Portland NW, Portland SE, Portland SW, Sherwood
  • 5 is for cities starting with T-W  Tigard, Troutdale, Tualatin, Vancouver, West Linn, Wilsonville 

2) Once a city is identified, the automated answering machine will then connect you with a beekeeper who can come gather the swarm. This could take a couple minutes.


As this is a new system, we expect that there may be a few hiccups. If you encounter any problems please report them to webmaster@portlandmetrobeekeepers.org so that we can be aware and problem solve.  Thanks for your understanding.

 

If you don't see your city then contact the Oregon State Beekeepers Association Swarm Hotline

Is it a Honey bee Swarm?

Honey bee swarms form large clusters, usually on trees or shrubs but can be just about anywhere. While it looks intimidating, they are usually very docile but it is still best to maintain your distance and leave them alone. They will usually be present for a couple hours to a few days and then leave to start a new home. In the Portland Metro area, they typically occur from April through June. If you see a swarm, do not attempt to kill or spray them - call the new Swarm Hotline to dispatch a beekeeper to safely relocate them, for free!

YES

This is a classic honey bee swarm on a branch!

YES

Another beautiful honey bee swarm.

YES

So many lovely swarms!

YES

The top photo is a small swarm cluster. The bottom photo is a close-up of a honeybee. A swarm is only when the honeybees are clustered.

NO


These are friendly bumblebees, but not a swarm or a honey bee. Bumblebees often nest in or near the ground, or small empty cavities such as birdhouses.

NO

These are not honey bees, but rather Western Yellow Jackets. They typically live underground with a small opening to the colony.  This is not a swarm. Honey bees do not live in the ground.

NO 

This is a bald faced hornet and their paper nests.  This is most definitely NOT a honey bee swarm.

NO


These are paper wasp nests, not honeybees. These are very common in Oregon.

NO


While these are honey bees, this is not a swarm. Bees coming and going from siding, chimneys, eves, a tree cavity, etc. have taken up residence and require enhanced intervention and special training to remove safely. Please visit the ORSBA website for a list of beekeepers that can handle structural removals.


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