Finding bees in a wall, attic, tree or shed is alarming, and the right response depends on what they are, where they are and how long they have been there. A swarm hanging in a tree is a temporary cluster that usually moves on within a day or two and is at its most docile, having no comb or brood to defend. A colony established inside a wall has comb, honey and brood, and proper removal means taking all of it out.
The guides here are written for homeowners rather than beekeepers. They cover telling honeybees from wasps, yellowjackets and hornets, since risk and removal method differ; whether a local beekeeper will collect a swarm for free, and why comb inside a structure changes the answer; do-it-yourself removal against hiring a professional; Africanized bees where they occur; and whether homeowners insurance covers bee damage.
The questions answered are the ones people ask in the moment: is it dangerous, will they leave, who do I call, and what if I wait. Spraying an established colony inside a wall reliably makes things worse, because the honey and comb left behind melt, ferment and attract pests, so start with identification.
Start here:
How to tell paper wasp, hornet, yellowjacket, mud dauber and honey bee nests apart, and when to leave a nest, treat it yourself or call a professional, based on university extension guidance.
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