European Honey Bee Control in New Braunfels, TX
In New Braunfels, honey bees usually show up one of two ways: a humming, football-shaped cluster hanging from a branch or fence, or a steady stream of bees flying in and out of a gap in a soffit, wall or chimney. A cluster in the open is a swarm, and the first move is to keep people and pets away and give it a little time. Bees working a hole in the house are an established colony, and that one needs help. Call or text (210) 281-1064, or book online, before anyone seals or sprays it.
A word of caution about "European" #
People search for "European honey bees," but nobody can tell a European bee from an Africanized one by looking. AgriLife's ENTO-080 bulletin says only DNA or microscopic measurement separates them, and it assumes most wild Texas colonies carry some African genes and may be defensive (ENTO-080). So treat any wild colony with the same care. Our page on Africanized honey bees in New Braunfels covers what to do if bees get defensive.
Swarm on a branch, or colony in the wall? #
A swarm is a group that has left its old home and is resting while scouts look for a new one. AgriLife's beekeeper training puts swarm season at March through July, possibly longer in parts of Texas. Swarms are not normally aggressive, though they may sting someone who gets too close. How long they stay varies: one AgriLife fact sheet says a few hours, ENTO-080 says usually within 48 hours. Don't spray a swarm with water.
An established colony has moved inside something and started building wax comb. ENTO-080 says to act quickly, because the longer the colony stays, the harder the job gets.
Thousands of homes, thousands of openings #
New Braunfels had about 44,517 housing units in Census survey data for 2020 to 2024 (Census ACS), from older homes to brand-new builds. Every one of them has the small gaps ENTO-080 lists as bee entry points:
- Holes where pipes and wiring enter
- Cracks around window frames
- Knot holes in siding
- Brick weep holes
- Joints where wood meets brick
- Uncapped chimneys
Insects in the City estimates that a colony tucked into a roof soffit probably numbers 30,000 bees or more. That is why a few bees at a crack can mean a large colony inside.
Water draws bees, then they move on #
The city sits on water. New Braunfels describes Comal Springs, at the heart of Landa Park, as the largest springs in Texas and the North American Southwest (City of New Braunfels). Closer to home, ENTO-080 says honey bees visit pools and birdbaths for water in late summer and then leave on their own. A line of bees drinking at the pool edge is not a nest. Bees going into the house are.
Who can legally remove honey bees in Texas? #
- Anyone paid to remove a honey bee nest must be a registered beekeeper or a licensed pest control professional. Beekeepers without a pest control license may not use pesticides.
- There is no such thing as a Texas "bee removal license," according to TAIS.
- TAIS keeps a list of beekeepers who remove bees, by county. It does not endorse anyone on it, and it advises calling only beekeepers listed for your own county. New Braunfels addresses can be in Comal or Guadalupe County, so check which applies.
- The Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab says honey bees are not a protected species in Texas.
A beekeeper may be able to remove a swarm or colony alive where that is practical. ENTO-080 notes that live removal usually takes longer and can cost more.
Why the comb has to come out #
Killing the bees is only half the job. Comb left in a wall brings odor, fermenting honey, stains and secondary pests such as ants, cockroaches, wax moths and rodents, and old comb can draw a new swarm. TAIS also warns homeowners not to remove a hive themselves, spray into it, or seal the bees inside. Don't eat honey or wax from a treated nest.
How Pest Trappers handles honey bees in New Braunfels #
A technician finds the entrance, works out where the colony and comb actually sit (ENTO-080 says the nest can be several yards from the opening) and explains the options, including whether a beekeeper is a better fit. Any product use follows the label, comb removal and sealing are discussed up front, and the price comes after the inspection. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is family-owned and licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture; the office confirms the visit time. See the European honey bee guide and our New Braunfels page.