🐝 Bee Rescue Services
Have a bee swarm or colony that needs professional relocation? The Walker County Beekeepers Association provides safe, humane bee rescue services to protect both you and these vital pollinators.
What Does Our Bee Rescue Team Do?
The WCBA Bee Rescue Team safely removes and relocates honeybee colonies from inconvenient locations where they pose a problem for property owners. Our volunteer members respond to calls about bees that have made their home in places like:
- 🏠 Home soffits, eaves, and wall cavities
- 🌳 Backyard trees and ornamental landscaping
- 🪵 Dead trees that need to be removed
- 🏚️ Attics, sheds, and outbuildings
- 🏗️ Chimneys, vents, and crawl spaces
Why Rescue Instead of Exterminate? Honeybees are essential pollinators responsible for approximately one-third of the food we eat. They're also struggling with colony losses due to disease, pesticides, and habitat loss. When bees move into an inconvenient location, relocating them preserves these vital insects while solving your problem.
Unlike extermination, bee rescue saves the colony and gives them a new home in a proper beehive where they can continue their important work pollinating our local crops and gardens.
⚠️ Important Information
Property Restoration
WCBA is not responsible for repairing or restoring the location after honeybees are removed. Bee rescues often require cutting into walls, soffits, or tree trunks to access the colony and remove all honeycomb.
While our rescue team members will make their best effort to minimize damage, professional repair work is the responsibility of the property owner.
We recommend budgeting for potential repairs when requesting a bee rescue, especially for established colonies in structural locations.
👥 Our Bee Rescue Team
The following vetted WCBA members volunteer their time and expertise to rescue honeybees. Contact them directly for assistance:
Mike Hudson
Vice President
📱 Contact via WCBA
Experienced beekeeper
Kimberly Shaw
President
📱 Contact via WCBA
Experienced beekeeper
Troy Yard
Secretary
📱 Contact via WCBA
Experienced beekeeper
🌟 Want to Join the Rescue Team?
Bee Rescue Team Leader
WCBA members with beekeeping experience can apply to be a Bee Rescue Team Leader. Proven beekeeping experience (minimum 2 years recommended). All applicants must be vetted and approved by the board to ensure they have the necessary skills and equipment for safe bee rescues to be a leader.
Volunteer Team Member
To join the team you don't need any experience, just good standing membership and willingness to learn. Possible opportunity to bring honeybees home and receive invaluable hands-on training. This is a great opportunity for new members who want to learn while volunteering your service. You can gain practical experience working with honeybees.
Requirements for Team Leaders:
- ✓ Active WCBA membership in good standing
- ✓ Proven beekeeping experience (minimum 2 years recommended)
- ✓ Proper protective equipment and tools
- ✓ Reliable transportation
- ✓ Willingness to mentor newer members
- ✓ Board approval after application review
Application Process:
- Submit your application using the form below
- Your information will be sent to the WCBA board for review
- Board will verify your WCBA membership status
- Board will review your beekeeping experience and qualifications
- Once approved, you'll be added to the official rescue team list
📝 Apply to Join the Rescue Team
🚨 Need Bee Rescue Services?
If you have a bee swarm or colony that needs removal, contact one of our rescue team members above, or reach out to WCBA:
We typically respond within 24 hours. For emergencies, please call the phone number above.
💝 Donation-Based Service
WCBA bee rescue services are provided on a donation basis only. We do not charge set fees. Any donations received help support our association's educational programs and community outreach.
Our volunteers donate their time, expertise, and often their own equipment to save these valuable pollinators. Donations are appreciated but not required.
🔄 How Our Bee Rescue Works
Contact a Rescue Team Member
Call or text one of our rescue volunteers listed above. Describe the location and situation.
Member Organizes the Rescue
The WCBA member who wants to keep the rescued bees will organize and lead the rescue operation. This member takes ownership of the colony.
Mentorship for New Members
If the member organizing the rescue is inexperienced, our experienced team members will assist and mentor them through the entire process.
Safe Removal & Relocation
Our team safely removes the bees and honeycomb, then relocates the colony to the member's apiary.
🛡️ Prevention Tips
While we're happy to help with bee rescues, here are some tips to make your property less attractive to swarming bees:
- Seal openings in walls, roofs, and foundations (if openings are 1/4 inch or more)
- Cap unused chimneys and vents
- Remove old tree stumps and hollow logs
- Keep outdoor structures well-maintained
- Contact us early if you spot scout bees investigating your property
📋 Additional Texas Bee Removal Resources
The Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) maintains a comprehensive list of registered beekeepers throughout Texas who perform bee removals. These beekeepers have registered with TAIS as required by Texas Agriculture Code, Section 131.045.
Important Disclaimer
The following information is provided as a public service and is not an endorsement of any beekeeper listed. The Texas Apiary Inspection Service does not license or issue permits to remove honey bees, nor do they have information regarding a beekeeper's qualifications or training.
TAIS only maintains a list of registered beekeepers who have submitted applications in accordance with Texas Agriculture Code.
🔗 Helpful Resources
- TAIS Bee Removal List: Find registered beekeepers by county
- Bee Removal FAQ: Questions to ask removal specialists (PDF)
- Houston Bee Removal: Professional bee removal services - Houston area
- Exterior Solutions: Darren Kelly - 281-802-9445
📞 Contact TAIS
For questions about honey bee removals in Texas:
- Email: tais@ag.tamu.edu
- Phone: 979-321-5827
- Address: Texas Apiary Inspection Service, 2475 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2475
🐝 Walker County Registered Beekeepers
According to the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, the following registered beekeepers serve Walker County:
- Brandi Williams - 206-914-4176
- JR Crocker - 936-438-7975
- Stuart Dial - 936-581-2878
- Daniel Jones - 281-798-2246
- David Banki - 281-309-4723
- Jimmy Davis - 844-323-3489
- Justin Ford - 512-676-0479
- Letila Takala - 832-764-3074
- Samuel Carroll - 361-389-8132
- Kimberly Shaw - 281-299-5185
- Shelley D. Rice - 832-545-7178
- Shores Morgan - 713-301-6866
Note: This list is maintained by the Texas Apiary Inspection Service. WCBA does not endorse or verify the qualifications of these beekeepers. Always contact multiple providers and ask about their experience, methods, and pricing before making a decision.