The short version
Around Centennial, honey bees usually swarm April through June. Swarms are usually calm and often move on. Wall colonies need removal, ideally alive, comb and all. Carpenter bees just need the wood treated and painted.
- Never seal a hole bees are using.
- Wall colonies need the comb taken out.
- Paint bare wood to deter carpenter bees.
- Ask about live removal first.
Anyone in Centennial who has bees around the house and wants to handle it safely.
What to look for
Most bees are helpful pollinators. Trouble starts when they move into a house. A wall colony can reach tens of thousands of bees. Spraying alone leaves comb and honey behind.
- 1Bees streaming in and out of one gap.
- 2A buzzing sound inside a wall.
- 3Dark, sticky stains on a ceiling or wall.
- 4A swarm hanging from a branch or fence.
- 5Round, clean holes in eaves or deck boards.
- 6Sawdust under holes in bare wood.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Wall colonies grow larger every season.
- Comb can melt and leak honey into walls.
- Old comb attracts ants, beetles and moths.
- Carpenter bee tunnels get longer each year.
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Centennial Bee Season Guide
Spring
Activity begins as temperatures rise.
Summer
Peak season — populations grow fast.
Fall
Pests seek shelter; prevention matters.
Winter
Reduced activity; indoor risk remains.
Treatment options and typical costs
Live Honey Bee Relocation
$150-$500
The bees are collected alive and moved to a hive.
- Time
- 1-3 hours for a swarm; longer for established colonies
- Best for
- Swarms and reachable colonies
Structural Hive Removal
$500-$1,500
The wall is opened and the bees and comb removed. Then it's cleaned and sealed.
- Time
- 2-6 hours depending on access and repairs
- Best for
- Colonies inside walls, soffits or attics
Carpenter Bee Treatment
$150-$450
Holes are treated, then filled. Painting or staining the wood helps keep them away.
- Time
- 1-2 hours per visit; spring follow-up often recommended
- Best for
- Round holes in bare wood
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
$200-$800
Sealing gaps, screening vents and follow-up checks.
- Time
- Inspection plus seasonal monitoring
- Best for
- Keeping bees from moving back in
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
A honey bee colony in the attic often announces itself with a hum on warm afternoons. Unscreened vents like this one are a common way in.Which bees show up around Centennial.
They're best left alone. Small ground-nesting bees in spring lawns are harmless. Their colonies die off each fall. Bumble bees nest in the ground or old insulation. Eastern carpenter bees bore round holes in bare wood around Centennial, especially eaves, fascia and decks. Honey bees are behind most calls in Centennial: swarms in spring, and colonies that move into walls.
Local bees conditions in Centennial.
A provider who works Centennial and Colorado every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options. Knowing Centennial's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. An inspection in Centennial usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Around Centennial, the area is mostly suburban, so bees pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. Centennial sits in a semi-arid climate, and that sets the pace for bee activity here: spring and summer (swarming and colony growth).
Fall is the easiest time to seal gaps along the foundation and siding, once bee traffic has slowed and before next spring's scouts start looking.Swarms: what to do.
A swarm is a colony on the move. Scouts are hunting for a new home. It's usually calm and moves on within days. Keep people back. a beekeeper or removal service.
Bees in the wall.
Homes from Centennial out to Parker and Aurora see the same entry points: soffits, vents and wall gaps. In older homes around Centennial, check soffits, chimneys and gable vents first. Bees and comb come out, then the wall is closed. The fix is a cut-out. Trapped bees may come into the house. Don't seal the hole, and don't just spray it. Steady traffic at one gap means a colony inside.
Carpenter bees.
Carpenter bees look like bumble bees with a shiny, bare abdomen. They drill round, half-inch holes in bare wood. Treat the holes, fill them, then paint the wood. Painted wood is far less attractive to them.
A year of bees in Centennial.
- Spring: swarm season, April through June. - Summer: highs near 88°F in Centennial. Watch for honey stains on walls. - Fall: bumble bee colonies die off. Seal gaps once bees are gone. - Winter: lows near 18°F in Centennial. Honey bees cluster inside.
Bee, wasp or hornet?
- Honey bee: fuzzy, golden brown, about half an inch. - Bumble bee: big, fuzzy, black and yellow. - Carpenter bee: like a bumble bee, with a shiny bare abdomen. - Wasp: smooth, narrow waist, long legs. - Yellowjacket: bright yellow and black, nests in the ground.
If you get stung.
Scrape the stinger out quickly with a fingernail or card. Wash the area and use a cold pack. An antihistamine eases itching. 911 for trouble breathing or a swollen face or throat.
Live removal: what it involves.
A specialist finds the colony, often with a thermal camera. They open the wall and gently vacuum the bees. Then they cut out the comb. The bees go to a managed hive. Then the space is cleaned, sealed and closed.
What to tell the removal company.
- Where the bees go in and out. - How high up the spot is. - How long you’ve noticed them. - Any stains, sounds or smells inside. - Whether anyone at home is allergic. - A photo or short video, taken from a safe distance.
Ground bees in the lawn.
Small bees over bare spring lawn are usually mining bees. They're gentle and rarely sting. They leave within a few weeks. Thicker grass and regular watering make the lawn less inviting.
Keeping bees from moving back in.
- Remove all old comb. Its scent draws new swarms. - Seal the entry gap once the bees are gone. - Screen attic, gable and crawl vents. - Cap open pipes, posts and fence rails. - Repaint or restain bare wood every few years.
Where colonies settle.
- Chimneys: a cap with screen keeps swarms out. - Attics: gable and soffit vents are common entries. - Sheds and garages: gaps under eaves and doors. - Meter and irrigation boxes: small, dark and dry. - Grill covers and unused equipment: check in spring. - Hollow trees and fence posts: often fine to leave.
Can I just spray them?
Honey bees aren't federally protected. Still, spraying a wall colony usually backfires. Dead bees and comb stay inside, rot, and leak honey. Pesticide labels also limit spraying around bees. Live removal is usually the better choice.
Kids, pets and bees.
Teach kids to stay calm and walk away from bees. Keep pets away from swarms and wall entrances. Dogs stung in the mouth or throat need a vet quickly. Cover sweet drinks outside.
When a swarm shows up.
In spring, a swarm may hang from a branch or fence. Swarming bees are usually calm. They have no hive to defend. Most move on within a day or two. Keep people and pets back. A beekeeper may collect it.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- What kind of bee is it? - Will you remove the bees alive? - Will you take out all the comb and honey? - Who repairs the wall or soffit? - How will you seal the entry afterward?
What affects the price
- Swarm pickup versus a colony inside a wall.
- How high the bees are, and whether a lift is needed.
- Opening and repairing walls, soffits or ceilings.
- Comb and honey cleanup.
- Number of carpenter bee holes.
- Whether bees can be removed alive.
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What’s your biggest bee concern?
When to call for help
right away if anyone in the house is allergic. if a swarm hasn't moved on in a few days. Call if bees use a gap in your walls or roof.
What you can do yourself
Carpenter bee holes are a fair DIY job. Treat, fill and paint. Swarms and wall colonies are not. A beekeeper or removal specialist can often save the bees.
Bees in Centennial
In Centennial's neighborhoods, swarms land in trees and shrubs, and colonies move into soffits and walls. Winter lows near 18°F in Centennial send honey bees into a tight cluster; they don't leave the nest. With about 16 inches of rain a year and summer highs near 88°F in Centennial, spring bloom is steady and swarms are common.
Local research
Bees in Centennial, CO: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which bees actually live in Colorado, when they are busiest around Centennial, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Bee species recorded in Colorado
- Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) — Social native bees; 'Nests are initiated by a single female (queen) in the spring' in 'a small cavity like an abandoned rodent burrow' (WSU). They 'can sting multiple times; sti…
When bees are busiest around Centennial
March–June (swarms); AHB activity most of the year. Africanized bees dominate feral colonies in AZ, NM, NV, southern CA and southern UT. They 'swarm in the same manner but more readily, and not just in the spring', and USDA ARS notes AHB 'may swarm as often as every six weeks during swarm season'. Nests turn up in water meter boxes, block walls and irrigation valve boxes.
Based on Centennial’s semi-arid climate profile.
For context, nationally
- 788 deaths (an average of 72 deaths per year) — Sting deaths, hornets/wasps/bees, 2011–2021. CDC MMWR
- 84% — Share of sting deaths among males, 2011–2021. CDC MMWR
Sources: CDC MMWR; Apidae: Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.) — Hortsense. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep bees away
- Seal gaps in soffits, vents and siding before spring.
- Screen attic and crawl vents.
- Paint or stain bare wood to deter carpenter bees.
- Fill old carpenter bee holes after treatment.
- Remove old comb so new swarms aren’t drawn in.
- Keep empty bee boxes and hives closed up.
After a removal, the old entrance gets screened and sealed. The smell of comb draws new scouts, so this step is what keeps bees from moving back in.Did you know?
A summer honey bee colony can top 30,000 bees.
Male carpenter bees can’t sting. They just hover and bluff.
Questions people ask
How much does bee removal cost in Centennial?
A swarm pickup is often $75–$250. Wall colonies cost several hundred dollars or more, plus repairs.
Can honey bees be moved instead of killed?
Often, yes. Swarms and many wall colonies can be removed alive.
A swarm landed in my yard. What should I do?
Swarms are usually calm and move on within days. A local beekeeper may collect it.
Should I seal the hole where bees are going in?
Remove the colony and comb first. They may get into the house. Sealing traps the colony inside. No.
What happens if comb is left in the wall?
It can melt in summer heat and stain walls. It also draws ants, beetles and moths.
Are carpenter bees dangerous?
They do bore into bare wood, so paint or stain it. Males can't sting, and females rarely do. Not really.
When do bees swarm in Centennial?
Usually April through June. A warm, sunny spell after bloom often sets it off.
Do bees come back after removal?
They can, if comb stays or the gap isn't sealed. The scent of old comb draws new swarms.
How much does it cost to remove a swarm of bees?
Around Centennial, one hundred twenty-five to $200 is HomeAdvisor's 2026 benchmark for removing a bee swarm, a temporary cluster rather than an established hive, and local prices vary.
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Sources (10)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Beehive Removal · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides