European Honey Bee Control in Leon Springs and The Dominion
In Leon Springs and The Dominion, honey bees usually show up one of two ways: a dense cluster hanging from a branch or fence, or a steady stream of bees going in and out of a crack in a wall, a soffit or a brick weep hole. A cluster on a branch often leaves on its own. Bees working in and out of a building are a colony, and that needs a registered beekeeper or a licensed pest professional, plus removal of the comb.
To have the bees looked at, call or text (210) 281-1064, or make a booking online.
A cluster on a limb versus bees going into the building #
A swarm is a colony on the move, resting while scouts look for a new home. AgriLife's Insects in the City says swarms aren't normally aggressive, though bees may sting anyone who gets close, and that they usually move on within a few hours; another AgriLife bulletin says within 48 hours. Leave it be and keep people back.
A colony has moved in and is building comb. Insects in the City estimates a colony in a roof soffit likely holds 30,000 bees or more. That won't leave without help, and the longer it stays, the bigger the job.
One caution: European and Africanized bees look identical without lab testing, and AgriLife assumes most wild colonies in Texas carry some African genes. Treat every wild colony with respect. Our Africanized honey bee page for this area covers defensive colonies.
Apartment and condo walls in 78256 #
Much of this area is multifamily. Census figures show 70.0% of homes in 78256 are in buildings with five or more units, and 64.1% were built in 2010 or later. ENTO-080 lists the openings they use: holes around pipes and wiring, cracks at window frames, knot holes in siding, brick weep holes, joints where wood meets brick, and chimneys without caps.
If you rent, tell management the moment you see bees using a gap, and don't try to plug it. The owner arranges removal, and acting early keeps the job smaller.
Bees busy in January? A Bexar County note #
Honey bees don't always slow down in winter here. In January 2017, AgriLife's Bexar County entomologist told AgriLife Today that a warm winter had bees much more active than usual. Swarm season itself runs March through July in Texas, per AgriLife's beekeeping module, and possibly longer in some areas.
Bees also visit pools and birdbaths for water in late summer, then leave. Water visitors alone don't mean a colony is in your house.
Who can legally take them out in Bexar County #
- Texas lets two groups remove honey bees for pay: registered beekeepers, who may not use pesticides, and licensed pest control professionals.
- TAIS says a "bee removal license" doesn't exist. Its removal list showed 28 Bexar County entries on November 13, 2026, and TAIS doesn't endorse anyone listed.
- A beekeeper may be able to take a swarm or colony out alive where that's practical. Live removal generally takes longer and can cost more.
- Only an apiary inspector may kill a managed colony without the owner's permission.
- Are honey bees protected? The Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab's answer is no.
Leftover honeycomb causes its own trouble #
Killing the bees isn't the end. AgriLife says comb left inside a wall leads to odors, fermenting honey, stains, and visits from ants, cockroaches, carpet beetles, wax moths and rodents, and old comb can lure a new swarm to the same cavity. Large colonies may also need follow-up, since brood can keep emerging for up to 10 days after treatment.
Hands off: what not to try #
- Removing a colony yourself, or spraying chemicals into the opening.
- Sealing the bees in. They'll go deeper or find a way into the house.
- Spraying only the entrance; the nest may be several yards away inside the wall.
- Fumigants or anything flammable.
- Eating honey or wax from a treated nest.
- Hosing a swarm with water.
Once the bees and comb are gone, caulk gaps, put mesh finer than 1/8 inch over vents, and cap chimneys.
How Pest Trappers handles honey bees in Leon Springs and The Dominion #
A technician confirms it's a honey bee colony, locates the entrance and estimates where the comb sits. You'll hear the options, including a beekeeper referral when live removal looks practical, and any product is applied according to its label. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned, and Travis Lambert is its certified applicator. You get a price after the inspection, and the office confirms the visit. More background is in our European honey bee guide and on the Leon Springs and The Dominion page.