Free, humane, by local beekeepers
Bee Swarm Removal in San Jose, California
177 honey bee swarms and colonies have been reported within 16 mi of San Jose, 105 of them in 2026. 74 local beekeepers on the Swarmed network cover the San Jose area and respond to new reports for free.
When bees show up in San Jose
In Santa Clara County, reports peak in March, when about 32% of the year's reports come in. Warmth accumulated so far this year is running about 24% ahead of last year, so colonies are likely to swarm earlier than usual.
Reports near San Jose by month, all years on record.
Recent swarm reports near San Jose
- September 2026: swarm clustered on a tree or bush, about rugby ball sizePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm outdoors, about basketball sizePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm inside a structure
- September 2026: swarm clustered on a tree or bush, about rugby ball sizePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm outdoors, about beach ball or larger sizePhoto verified
- August 2026: swarm clustered on a tree or bush, about tennis ball sizePhoto verified
- August 2026: swarm inside a structure, about basketball size
- August 2026: swarm clustered on a tree or bush, about rugby ball sizePhoto verified
Locations and reporter details stay private; reports support local swarm research and beekeeper alerts.
How free swarm removal works
- Step 1
Report the swarm with a photo and location. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
- Step 2
Nearby beekeepers on the Swarmed network get alerted instantly (74 cover the San Jose area).
- Step 3
A beekeeper claims the report and collects the colony alive, then relocates it to a managed hive.
San Jose bee swarm questions
- How much does bee swarm removal cost in San Jose?
- A swarm is normally free. Swarmed connects you with 74 local beekeepers covering the San Jose area who collect healthy honey bee swarms and relocate them to managed hives, and they do not usually charge for a swarm resting in the open. Reporting is free, and a contribution to Swarmed is suggested afterwards but never required. It can depend on the situation, though: an unusually difficult retrieval may be quoted, and if the bees have moved into a wall, roof, floor or tree cavity that is an established colony rather than a swarm, known as a cutout, where the comb and honey have to be removed and a beekeeper or removal professional may quote you a fair price.
- Is a bee swarm the same as a colony inside my house?
- No, and the difference decides whether the job is free. A swarm is a cluster of bees resting in the open, on a branch, fence or post, while scouts look for a new home. It has no comb yet, so a beekeeper can normally collect it quickly and free of charge. Bees flying in and out of a gap in a structure have already built comb inside, which makes it a cutout: paid work that the attending beekeeper quotes directly. Swarmed does not set or take a share of that fee.
- When is bee swarm season in San Jose, California?
- In Santa Clara County, reports peak in March, which accounts for about 32% of the year's reports. So far in 2026, 105 reports have come in within 16 mi of San Jose.
- How fast do beekeepers respond to swarm reports near San Jose?
- Over the last two years in Santa Clara County, 96% of swarm reports were claimed by a beekeeper, typically within 4 minutes of being reported.
- Are the bees harmed during removal in San Jose?
- No. Swarmed beekeepers collect the colony alive and relocate it to a managed hive where it can thrive, instead of exterminating it. Honey bee swarms are usually docile and removal is safest within the first day or two.
Bee removal in other California cities
Swarm statistics come from reports submitted to Swarmed and are refreshed daily. Last updated September 11, 2026.