It is better to have them removed in the Spring, it is a bit late in the season. Konrad

A beekeeper is not likely to have any interest in ground bees. If you must kill them seven does work (though technically is not legal as it's not labeled as such). Though they tend not to be aggressive so if you avoid them there shouldn't be a problem. ------------------ Assuming your bees in the tree are indeed honey bees (quite possible as that is their typical nesting place). You could kill them, yourself or by an exterminator, but be aware the mess left in the tree is bound to attract more bees if not properly taken care of. Or you can call a beekeeper that does hive removals. It is typically not free because the time, gas, and equipment is worth far more than bees of unknown origin with possible diseases and an old queen. Plus in some areas it is even more hazardous because of possible AHB and some areas require a license. Removal from a tree is difficult and unless the tree is cut down the removal can take many weeks using the cone method. To find someone who does swarm removal in your area click the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Swarm & Hive Removal

Generally speaking, you will not find a commercial beekeeper willing to come out and remove the bees without a hefty price tag included. The bees are of little value to them. They will need to feed them to get them off to a start, quarantine and medicate before bringing them in the yard, requeen them, not harvest any honey from them this year. And to top off all of that, there is good chance the queen will be lost during the removal and the colony will just turn into an ill tempered hive until they are destroyed. It is a lot of work to remove bees from a structure. Their entrance/exit may be several feet from the actual hive. It's messy. The structure will be significantly damaged in most cases and will be left that way after removal. I'm sure you could find a hobbist willing to take this on, but do you really someone disassembling the structure or your home that doesn't do this for a living. If you want to keep them alive, leave them be where they are at. If that is not possible call a professional that does it for a living. Get some references from people he has did similiar work for, define weather the bees or bees and honey will be removed. If the bees are simply removed and the honey left behind the comb will melt and leak honey all over and attract robber bees at the least if not a late summer swarm in the wworst case. Finally understand the price quoted is for removal of the bees, NOT to replace anything removed from the structure to gain access to the colony. That's a whole different job bid to be done by a general contractor. Bottom line you think you have something valuable to give away free which will help someone. You don't. Based on the value of time and money, it is easier for a commercial beekeeper (anyone that makes siginificant income from the apiary) to order a package of certified disease free bees with a fresh queen during the winter, have them delivered to the beekeepers door in the spring and take 20 minutes to dump them in a new hive and harvest honey from them the first year also.

Is there anyone in the Torrance Gardena area of Los Angeles that can safely remove a bee hive at my work? Easy to remove, the hive is accessible in a wood pallet outdoors. Ron (714) 737-3037