Honeybees are one of the most important parts of our ecosystem. They pollinate local crops, support our food supply, and keep the Lowcountry’s natural environment thriving. When a swarm moves into a home or structure, it needs to be removed carefully, safely, and respectfully — not sprayed or destroyed.

Reif Environmental provides licensed and insured live honeybee relocation for Charleston and the surrounding area.
Our goal is simple: protect your home, protect your family, and protect the bees.

Every hive we remove is safely relocated to a local farm where they continue to pollinate local produce.

What We Do During a Honeybee Relocation

1. Professional Inspection

Every job begins with a full inspection to locate the hive and understand how the bees entered the structure.
Bee removals vary widely — walls, roofs, ceilings, floor joists, soffits, and siding can all become hive sites.

An inspection is required before we can give accurate pricing.
This ensures the job is done safely, cleanly, and without surprises.

2. Live Hive Cut-Out & Removal

Once we determine the hive location, we perform a cut-out to access the bees and honeycomb safely.
This process allows us to:

• Remove the queen

• Collect the worker bees

• Remove all comb, brood, and honey

• Avoid harming the colony

• Prevent future bees from returning

We never spray or destroy honeybee colonies. Every removal is done live.

3. Full Clean-Out and Disinfection

After the bees and comb are removed, the cavity is cleaned thoroughly to remove:

• Wax

• Honey

• Pheromones

• Residual scent trails

This is one of the most important steps.
If the area is not cleaned and treated, new swarms may return to the exact same spot.

We disinfect the area to remove attractants and prevent repeat hive activity.

4. Professional Patchwork (When Possible)

In many cases, we are able to professionally patch or close the access area after removal.
This depends on:

• The structure of the home

• The location of the hive

• The material involved

• The size of the cut-out

If patching requires a specialty trade (roofer, carpenter, or drywall finisher), we can recommend trusted partners.

5. Relocation to a Local Farm

Every colony we remove is safely relocated to a local farm where they continue to pollinate produce and support the Lowcountry ecosystem.

We are committed to protecting bees, not eliminating them.

Why Choose Reif Environmental for Bee Removal?

• Licensed and insured

• Live relocation only

• No spraying or extermination

• Safe for children and pets

• Protects the structure of your home

• Ethical, sustainable, eco-conscious approach

• Experienced with Charleston-area construction styles

Bee removal is not the same as pest control — it requires training, precision, and proper handling.
We respect the bees and your home equally.

Signs You May Have a Honeybee Hive

• A steady stream of bees entering a wall, soffit, or roofline

• Buzzing behind walls or ceiling panels

• Honey dripping inside the home

• A strong sweet smell

• Large groups of bees gathering in one spot outside

If you’re unsure, we can inspect and confirm.

Where We Provide Honeybee Relocation

We service:

• Charleston

• James Island

• Johns Island

• West Ashley

• Mount Pleasant

• Summerville

• Goose Creek

• Folly Beach

• Isle of Palms

• Sullivan’s Island

• North Charleston

• Surrounding areas

If the bees are anywhere in the Tri-County area, we can help.

Schedule a Honeybee Inspection

Because every hive is different, an inspection is required for accurate pricing.

Call or text (843) 410-3955 to schedule a bee relocation evaluation.
We’ll remove the bees safely, protect your home, and give the colony a healthy new place to thrive.