Free, humane, by local beekeepers
Bee Swarm Removal in Chicago, Illinois
69 honey bee swarms and colonies have been reported within 16 mi of Chicago, 33 of them in 2026. 15 local beekeepers on the Swarmed network cover the Chicago area and respond to new reports for free.
When bees show up in Chicago
In Cook County, reports peak in August, when about 23% of the year's reports come in. Warmth accumulated so far this year is running about 14% ahead of last year, so colonies are likely to swarm earlier than usual.
Reports near Chicago by month, all years on record.
Recent swarm reports near Chicago
- September 2026: swarm inside a structurePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm in a tree or log, about basketball sizePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm outdoors
- September 2026: swarm inside a structure, about tennis ball sizePhoto verified
- September 2026: swarm inside a structure
- September 2026: swarm inside a structure, about tennis ball size
- August 2026: swarm inside a structure
- August 2026: swarm inside a structure
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 (15 cover the Chicago area).
- Step 3
A beekeeper claims the report and collects the colony alive, then relocates it to a managed hive.
Chicago bee swarm questions
- How much does bee swarm removal cost in Chicago?
- A swarm is normally free. Swarmed connects you with 15 local beekeepers covering the Chicago 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 Chicago, Illinois?
- In Cook County, reports peak in August, which accounts for about 23% of the year's reports. So far in 2026, 33 reports have come in within 16 mi of Chicago.
- How fast do beekeepers respond to swarm reports near Chicago?
- Over the last two years in Cook County, 56% of swarm reports were claimed by a beekeeper, typically within 14 minutes of being reported.
- Are the bees harmed during removal in Chicago?
- 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 Illinois cities
Swarm statistics come from reports submitted to Swarmed and are refreshed daily. Last updated September 10, 2026.