What should I do if I find a bee swarm on my property?

If the swarm is a loose cluster of bees (not yet built a wax comb), contact a local beekeeper first. They can often relocate the swarm humanely. The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association is a good resource .

Are wasps and hornets more dangerous in St. Louis during a particular time of year?

Yes. Social wasps and hornets are most aggressive and their colonies are largest in late summer and early fall (August-October). This is when they are most defensive and pose the greatest sting risk .

Who should I call for a yellow jacket nest in the ground?

You should contact a professional pest control company. Ground-nesting yellow jackets are particularly aggressive when disturbed, and professionals have the equipment and insecticides to treat these nests safely and effectively .

Can the county health department remove a bee hive from my house?

No. The St. Louis County Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Program can inspect public areas, but for issues on private property, homeowners are responsible for hiring a private pest control company or beekeeper .

What's the difference between extermination and live removal?

Extermination involves using insecticides to eliminate the colony, followed by nest removal. This is standard for aggressive wasps and hornets. Live removal is typically reserved for honeybees, where a beekeeper physically relocates the swarm or hive to an apiary without killing the bees .

Where do wasps commonly build nests on homes?

Common sites include under eaves, roof overhangs, and decks; inside attics, wall voids, and vents; behind shutters; and in garages or sheds .

Pest Control in St Louis, MO,

Discovering a buzzing nest of stinging insects on your St. Louis property can be alarming. Whether it's a paper wasp nest under the eave or a honeybee swarm in a wall void, these uninvited guests pose a risk of painful stings and potential property damage. Professional bee and wasp removal services are essential for safely and effectively addressing these pests. This guide provides detailed information on local removal options, costs, and seasonal patterns to help you make an informed decision and connect with qualified experts in the St. Louis area.

Newt’s Pest Control

st louis

Newt's Pest Control is a pest control company serving St Louis, MO, and surrounding counties including St. Charles. They offer residential and commercial pest extermination services, including cockroach, ant, rodent, mosquito, bee, wasp, spider, and flying insect control. Their services include one-time treatments, monthly plans, and pest inspections. Newt's Pest Control emphasizes eco-friendly and safe pest management solutions, combining pest and mosquito control under one agreement backed by a full satisfaction guarantee.

5.0

262 Reviews

Imel Pest Control Inc

st louis

Imel Pest Control Inc is a family-owned pest control company serving the St Louis, MO area. They provide residential, commercial, and industrial pest control services, including termite inspections and treatments, rodent extermination, and removal of ants, fleas, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and other pests. The company has a long history dating back to 1967, with expertise passed down through four generations. Imel Pest Control emphasizes dependable treatments and customer care based on decades of experience.

5.0

152 Reviews

Healthy Home Pest Control & Services

3680 Lebanon Ave, Belleville, IL 62221

Healthy Home Pest Control & Services is a family-owned pest control company serving St Louis, MO, and surrounding areas since 2017. They provide a wide range of pest management services including bed bug treatment, termite control, rodent removal, and commercial pest control. The company also offers air duct and dryer vent cleaning, TAP insulation, and AeroSeal duct sealing to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. With over 30 years of combined experience, they use advanced techniques and environmentally friendly treatments to address pest challenges unique to the region. Healthy Home Pest Control & Services provides 24/7 emergency services and same-day scheduling options.

4.9

1.9k Reviews

Holper's Pest & Animal Solutions STL

9223 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123

Holper's Pest & Animal Solutions STL is a family-owned pest control company serving St. Louis, MO, and surrounding counties including Jefferson, St. Charles, and Franklin, as well as Southwest Missouri and Metro Illinois. They provide pest and wildlife removal services for both residential and commercial properties, focusing on thorough inspections and preventative treatments to eliminate infestations and block entry points. Established in 1952, Holper's has decades of experience and emphasizes personalized service tailored to each customer's needs. They offer same-day service to address urgent pest problems promptly.

4.9

1.4k Reviews

Aptive Pest Control

st louis

Aptive Pest Control offers tailored pest management services in St. Louis, MO, addressing common pests such as ants, spiders, rodents, mosquitoes, and wasps. Their technicians provide specialized treatments including mosquito control, rodent removal, and cockroach extermination, covering a broad range of pests found in the region. Serving St. Louis and surrounding communities, Aptive focuses on creating customized pest control plans to meet local needs.

4.9

349 Reviews

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Understanding Stinging Insects in St. Louis

The St. Louis region is home to a variety of stinging insects, each with distinct behaviors and nesting preferences. Knowing what you're dealing with is the first step toward a safe resolution.

Honeybees are crucial pollinators and are generally less aggressive than wasps. However, when they establish a hive inside a structure, their honeycomb can cause significant damage and attract other pests. For honeybees, live removal and relocation by a beekeeper is often the preferred method ¹.

Yellow Jackets, Paper Wasps, and Bald-Faced Hornets are social wasps known for their defensive nature, especially in late summer when colonies are at their peak ². Their stings can be painful and dangerous to those with allergies. Extermination is the typical course of action for these aggressive species. Mud Daubers are solitary wasps that are less aggressive but their mud nests can be a nuisance on structures ³.

Why Professional Removal is Recommended

Attempting DIY stinging insect control is risky. Social wasps can swarm and sting repeatedly when their nest is threatened, posing a serious health hazard ⁴. Professionals have the necessary protective equipment, specialized tools, and insecticides to eliminate the threat safely. They can also identify the species and locate all nesting sites, including hidden ones in wall voids or underground, ensuring the problem is fully resolved.

Local Removal Services: Exterminators vs. Beekeepers

In St. Louis, you generally have two paths for dealing with stinging insects: hiring a professional pest control company or contacting a local beekeeper for honeybee-specific situations.

Professional Pest Control Companies

Local exterminators like Bug Out, Pointe Pest Control, and Titan Pest & Wildlife Solutions offer comprehensive inspection and treatment services for wasps, hornets, and bees ⁵ ⁴ ¹. Their approach typically involves:

A thorough inspection to locate the nest and identify the species.
Application of EPA-registered insecticides using methods that protect people and pets.
Physical removal of the nest after treatment to prevent future issues.
For bees or wasps inside walls, they may need to perform a "cut-out," which involves opening the wall to remove the hive and comb ⁶.

Live Bee Removal by Beekeepers

For honeybee swarms or accessible hives, contacting a beekeeper is a valuable, eco-friendly option. The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association can be a resource for finding local apiarists ⁷. Beekeepers will often remove a healthy, accessible swarm or hive for relocation to an apiary, sometimes for a reduced fee or even free, as they are acquiring new bees ⁶ ⁸. This method preserves these important pollinators. It's important to note that if honeybees have already established a large hive inside a structure, a beekeeper may still need to partner with a pest control professional for the extraction.

Public Resources

The St. Louis County Vector-Borne Disease Prevention Program can inspect public property for stinging insect issues, but for problems on private property, homeowners must hire a private service ⁷.

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Common Nesting Sites Around Your Home

Stinging insects seek out secluded, protected areas to build their nests. Being aware of these common locations can help you spot a problem early ⁹ ¹⁰.

Ground Nests: Yellow jackets are infamous for building nests in abandoned rodent burrows, holes in landscaping, and beneath outdoor structures like decks, sheds, and stoops ⁹ ¹¹.

Aerial and Structural Nests:

Eaves, Soffits, and Roof Overhangs: A prime spot for paper wasp nests.
Attics, Wall Voids, and Vents: These enclosed spaces offer protection for larger colonies of bees, yellow jackets, and hornets.
Behind Shutters or Siding: A favorite sheltered location.
Trees, Dense Shrubs, and Bushes: Hornets and wasps often build their papery nests on tree branches.
Garages, Sheds, and Barns: Undisturbed corners and rafters are ideal.
Under Patio Furniture, Playsets, or Decks.

Seasonal Activity in St. Louis

The activity level of bees and wasps in Missouri follows a strong seasonal pattern, which influences removal urgency and cost ².

Spring (March - May): Overwintered queens emerge to start new colonies. You may see small, starter nests. Honeybee swarming season in Missouri often begins around Mother's Day weekend ¹². Activity is moderate.
Summer (June - August): Colony populations explode. Wasps and bees are most active during the warmest parts of the day (typically 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) ¹³. Nests grow rapidly.
Late Summer & Fall (August - October): This is the peak period for aggressive behavior. Social wasp colonies are at maximum size and are producing new queens and males, making them highly defensive of the nest ² ¹⁴. This is when most removal calls occur.
Winter (November - February): Activity is minimal. Most wasps and bees die off, with only fertilized queens hibernating in protected spots. A warm winter day might cause brief activity.

Bee & Wasp Removal Cost Guide for St. Louis

The cost for stinging insect removal in St. Louis varies significantly based on the insect type, nest size, location, and the method required ⁶ ¹⁵. The table below outlines typical price ranges.

Service Type	Typical Cost Range in St. Louis	Key Details
Simple Wasp Nest Removal	$75 - $200	For small, easily accessible nests (e.g., a single paper wasp nest under the eave). Often a one-time treatment.
Yellow Jacket or Hornet Nest Removal	$200 - $875	Extermination is standard due to aggression. Cost increases for large nests or difficult locations (e.g., underground, in a soffit).
Honeybee Swarm Removal	$100 - $300	For a clustered swarm that has not yet built a hive. Beekeepers may charge less or nothing for an easy, healthy swarm collection ⁸.
Complex Hive Removal (Inside Structure)	$500 - $2,000+	For established beehives or large wasp nests inside walls, attics, or chimneys. Requires cutting into the structure. Does not include repair costs for drywall, siding, etc. ⁶ ¹⁶.
General One-Time Pest Service	$140 - $300 (Avg. ~$155)	A broad service that may include knocking down visible wasp nests as part of a general pest treatment ¹⁷ ¹⁸.

Important Note: The most accurate way to get pricing is to contact several local St. Louis pest control companies for a free, on-site estimate. They will assess the specific situation at your home.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Bee Exterminator - Pest Control | St. Louis | Wildlife Removal - https://titanpestandwildlife.com/bee-pest-control/ ↩ ↩²
Critical Days of Summer: All the buzz about stinging insects - https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/247208/critical-days-of-summer-all-the-buzz-about-stinging-insects/ ↩ ↩² ↩³
Mud Daubers - Missouri Department of Conservation - https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mud-daubers ↩
St. Louis, Missouri Wasp/Bee Removal - Pointe Pest Control - https://pointepestcontrol.com/st-louis-missouri-wasp-bee-removal/ ↩ ↩²
Bee, Wasp & Hornet Removal in St. Louis, MO | Bug Out - https://missouri.bugoutservice.com/bees-wasps-exterminators/ ↩
How Much Does Bee Removal Cost in 2025? - HomeAdvisor - https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/environmental-safety/bee-removal/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴
Who can I contact if I'm having trouble with bees or wasps? - https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/public-health/vector-borne-disease-prevention/frequently-asked-questions/who-can-i-contact-if-im-having-trouble-with-bees-or-wasps/ ↩ ↩²
What Do Bee Keepers Charge for Bee Removal in 2025? - Pest Extinct - https://pestextinct.com/what-do-bee-keepers-charge-for-bee-removal-in-2025/ ↩ ↩²
Yellow Jacket Nest Found on Your St. Louis Property? Don't ... - https://www.omnipestsolutions.com/yellow-jacket-nest-found-on-your-st-louis-property-dont-wait-to-act/ ↩ ↩²
Common Areas for Wasp Nests - Summit Pest Management - https://www.summitpestmanagement.com/bees-wasps-exterminators/common-areas-for-wasp-nests/ ↩
Wasp Control & Nest Removal in Northern VA | Blake's Pest Control - https://www.blakespestva.com/wasp-control/ ↩
missouri swarm season - Beekeeping - Home Sweet Bees - https://www.homesweetbees.com/beekeeping/tag/missouri+swarm+season ↩
When Are Bees Most Active? And Other FAQs - Bizzy Bee Exterminators - https://www.bizzybeeexterminators.com/blog/post/when-are-bees-most-active-and-other-faqs ↩
Paper Wasp Queen vs Worker: What You Need to Know - https://bettertermite.com/paper-wasp-queen-vs-worker/ ↩
How Much Does Beehive Removal Cost in 2026? - Lawn Love - https://lawnlove.com/blog/beehive-removal-cost/ ↩
How Much Does it Cost to Get Rid of a Bee Hive? - Atomic Pest Control - https://atomicpestcontrol.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-rid-of-a-bee-hive ↩
How Much Does Pest Control Cost in St Louis, MO? | Angi - https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-pest-control-service-cost/mo/st-louis ↩
How Much Does Pest Control Cost in St. Louis, MO - https://pestextinct.com/st-louis-mo-pest-control/ ↩

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