Live bee rescue, Santa Barbara, California

500+ rescues a year. Zero bees killed.

Super Bee Rescue is a humane alternative to pest control. Founded by beekeeper Nick Wigle, the Beevangelist: every swarm and hive is removed with non-lethal methods, then relocated and rehoused. Never sprayed.

4.9 (15 Google reviews) Non-lethal methods, always Emergency service available
Beekeeper holding a hive frame heavy with honeybees at golden hour
The bees stay alive. That is the whole point.
Founded by beekeeper Nick Wigle Every colony relocated and rehoused Clients across the US and Hawaii Property managers, schools, utilities
0+
live rescues every year
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Google rating
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Google reviews
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coast towns served
Honeybees crawling over golden honeycomb

The beekeeper

Meet the Beevangelist.

Nick Wigle is the founder of Super Bee Rescue. He is a beekeeper on a mission to help save the environment one bee at a time. His business is based in Santa Barbara, and his clients stretch across the country, all the way to Hawaii.

He is the alternative to pest control. Nick believes killing bees should not be an option, so every job his crew runs is a rescue: non-lethal methods, careful hands, and a colony that leaves the site in a hive, not a bag.

One bee at a time.

Bees being calmed with smoke and guided into a hive box for relocation

The rescue in motion

Calmed with smoke. Captured alive. Relocated to the bee farm.

How it works

The rescue, step by step.

From the first call to the moment the colony settles into its new hive, every step is built around keeping the bees alive.

STEP 01

You call

Nick picks up, often on the second ring. Describe the swarm or send a photo, and get an honest read on what is going on.

STEP 02

The bees are calmed

Non-lethal methods only. The smoker settles the colony so every bee stays alive through the whole job.

STEP 03

Careful removal

The swarm or hive comes out intact. Openings get sealed so bees do not move back into the same spot.

STEP 04

Relocated, rehoused

Every rescued colony is relocated to the bee farm and rehoused. The bees keep living in nature.

Real reviews

What Santa Barbara says.

4.9 4.9 stars across 15 Google reviews. Quoted verbatim, with names.
“Super Bee responded the same day, rescuing the 6,000-7,000 honeybees and making my patio usable again: a win for me and the bees. Brenda did an expert and thorough job.”
Peter Buehler
Google review
“Not only did Nick pick up the phone on the 2nd ring, he shared his knowledge and gave me options for how to move forward.”
Angeli Mancuso
Google review
“Tracey was the technician that came out to first assess and then remove the bees. She clearly LOVES what she does. The best thing was the bees were not only removed but continue to live in nature!”
Susan Arango
Google review
“We had the best experience with Nick and his assistant at Super Bee Rescue! We had a swarm of bees trying to make a hive in our stove exhaust vent, and they were even getting into our house! He was able to swing by the next morning first thing and block the access.”
Eric Arneson
Google review
“Nick is the best around! I called him for bee activity inside the hood of my car and he was extremely knowledgeable about where to look and was thorough and efficient in the removal process.”
Adam Kershner
Google review

Service area

Where we fly.

Based in Santa Barbara, rescuing bees up and down the coast.

Carpinteria Summerland Montecito Santa Barbara Goleta

Super Bee Rescue · 25 Northridge Rd, Santa Barbara, CA · (805) 881-3031

Good to know

Fair questions.

No. Never. Super Bee Rescue uses non-lethal methods in every operation, and every swarm and hive is relocated and rehoused. Killing bees is not an option here.

The difficulty of the job determines how long it takes and how many technicians are needed. Emergency service adds $100 an hour. Call with a photo and you will get an honest read on your job.

Same-day responses are common, and true emergencies get priority. Nick often picks up on the second ring, even on weekends.

To the bee farm. Relocated colonies are rehoused and kept alive, and some join the Foster Bee Program. The bees continue to live in nature.

Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Goleta, from the base at 25 Northridge Rd in Santa Barbara. Nick also takes clients across the country, even Hawaii, for the right job.

New clients pay in full at the time of service, and credit cards are accepted. Alternative arrangements can be discussed case by case.

Emergency? Call now.

Ready when the bees aren't.

(805) 881-3031

One call and a rescue is on its way. No sprays, no kill orders: just bees, removed alive.

Call Super Bee Rescue
Call (805) 881-3031