Bee swarm catcher
Collect honeybee swarms from yards and trees on call and rehome them in your own hives.
- $300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
16,535 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
NAICS 561710 “Exterminating and pest control services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Responding to calls about swarms (clusters of bees resting on a branch, fence or shed) and collecting them in a box or bucket. The bees then go into hives you keep, or to other local beekeepers.
Your first three steps
- Join a local beekeeping club and learn to keep bees through a class or mentor
- Buy a bee suit, swarm boxes, a bee vacuum or brush and a ladder, and set up a spare hive
- Register with your local beekeepers' swarm call list and post your number in local groups and with the county extension office
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, schools, parks and small businesses who find a swarm and want it gone safely without killing the bees.
How it makes money
Some people charge a flat call-out fee per swarm, and many charge more for hard-to-reach spots. You can also keep the colonies to grow your own hives, or sell them to other beekeepers.
Skills that help
- Comfortable handling bees
- Basic beekeeping knowledge
- Calm with worried customers
- Safe ladder and climbing use
Watch out for
- Check whether your state requires beekeeper registration or apiary inspection
- Check with your city or county about keeping hives at home, including zoning and HOA rules
- General liability insurance, ideally covering bee work and work at height
- Some areas have Africanized bees, so check local guidance before taking on unknown colonies
- Allergic reactions are a real risk, so know your own allergy status and keep first aid on hand
- Swarms are seasonal, so expect income to be uneven through the year
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start catching bee swarms?
Startup costs are typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on protective gear, collection boxes, tools and whether you need to buy hives for the swarms you catch. Treat these as estimates.
How much can swarm catching bring in?
Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $1,000, depending on how many calls you get and what you charge. Swarms are seasonal, so expect income to be uneven through the year.
What rules and risks should I check before catching swarms?
Check whether your state requires beekeeper registration or apiary inspection, and city, county or HOA rules on keeping hives. Also check insurance for bee work and work at height, local guidance on Africanized bees, and your own allergy status.
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