# Bee Swarm Removal in Stockton, California

Free, humane honey bee swarm removal by local beekeepers. 54 honey bee swarms have been reported within 16 mi of Stockton, 29 of them in 2026. 10 local beekeepers on the Swarmed network cover the Stockton area and respond to new reports for free.

## Key figures

- Swarms reported in 2026: 29
- Swarms on record nearby: 54
- Swarms reported in the last 12 months: 35
- Beekeepers in range: 10
- County: San Joaquin
- Median beekeeper response time in San Joaquin: 29 minutes
- Share of reports claimed by a beekeeper: 95.5%

## When swarms happen in Stockton

Swarm season in San Joaquin peaks in May, when about 29% of the year's swarms are reported.

Warmth accumulated so far this year is running about 7% ahead of last year, so colonies are likely to swarm earlier than usual.

| Month | Swarms reported |
| --- | --- |
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 2 |
| Mar | 4 |
| Apr | 9 |
| May | 15 |
| Jun | 12 |
| Jul | 2 |
| Aug | 4 |
| Sep | 2 |
| Oct | 3 |
| Nov | 1 |
| Dec | 0 |

## How free swarm removal works

1. Report the swarm with a photo and location. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
2. Nearby beekeepers on the Swarmed network get alerted instantly (10 cover the Stockton area).
3. A beekeeper claims the report and collects the colony alive, then relocates it to a managed hive.

Reporting is always free, and a swarm, a cluster of bees resting in the open, is normally collected at no charge. A contribution to Swarmed is suggested after reporting but never required. It can depend on the situation: an unusually difficult retrieval may be quoted. Bees that have moved into a wall, roof, floor or tree cavity are an established colony rather than a swarm, known as a cutout: the comb and honey have to be removed, so the attending beekeeper or removal professional may quote a fair price for that work. Swarmed does not set or take a share of that fee.

Report a swarm: https://beeswarmed.org/report-bee-colony/form

## Stockton bee swarm questions

### How much does bee swarm removal cost in Stockton?

A swarm is normally free. Swarmed connects you with 10 local beekeepers covering the Stockton 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 Stockton, California?

In San Joaquin County, reports peak in May, which accounts for about 29% of the year's reports. So far in 2026, 29 reports have come in within 16 mi of Stockton.

### How fast do beekeepers respond to swarm reports near Stockton?

Over the last two years in San Joaquin County, 96% of swarm reports were claimed by a beekeeper, typically within 29 minutes of being reported.

### Are the bees harmed during removal in Stockton?

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

- [Downey](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/downey)
- [Los Angeles](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/los-angeles)
- [Rosemead](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/rosemead)
- [Glendale](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/glendale)
- [Fullerton](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/fullerton)
- [San Diego](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/san-diego)
- [Long Beach](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/long-beach)
- [Torrance](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/torrance)
- [Huntington Beach](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/huntington-beach)
- [Sacramento](https://beeswarmed.org/bee-removal/california/sacramento)

Swarm statistics come from reports submitted to Swarmed and are refreshed daily. Last updated 2026-09-10.