What it costs
Anyone who quotes a firm figure over the phone is guessing. What drives the price is where the colony is and how much has to be opened to reach the comb — and neither can be judged without looking.
Rough ranges in Yuma County
| Job | Typical | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Swarm on a branch | $75–200 | no comb, collected or knocked down and treated |
| Meter or valve box | $150–350 | accessible cavity, comb removed on the spot |
| Shed, barbecue, vehicle | $150–400 | depends how much has to come apart |
| Wall or roof colony | $400–1,500 | opening the cavity, full comb removal |
| Two-storey or tile roof | $800–2,500 | height, access equipment, roof work |
The gap between the top and bottom of that last row is not padding. A colony in a single-storey stud bay reachable from inside is an afternoon. The same colony above a tiled roof on a two-storey house needs scaffolding or a lift, two people, and tiles taken off and put back.
What pushes it up
- Age of the colony. A spring swarm that settled six weeks ago has a few pounds of comb. One that has been there three years has thirty, and the honey has already stained.
- Height and access. Ground level versus a second-storey soffit is the single biggest factor.
- What has to be opened. Drywall from inside is cheap to repair. Stucco from outside is not.
- Repair included or not. Some quotes close the hole, some leave you a hole. Always ask.
- Emergency call-out. Same-day and after-hours carry a premium, as they do in any trade.
Where the false economy is
Compare quotes on what is actually included, not on the number. Two prices that differ by a factor of four are usually two different jobs.
Is it covered by insurance?
Usually not the removal itself — insurers treat pests as maintenance. The resulting damage is a different question: if honey has soaked a ceiling, some policies cover the repair. It depends on the wording, and it is worth a call to your insurer before you pay for drywall work.