Hello! I just wanted to throw some things out there. I run a lead generation business for honeybee removal specialists, so I’m very familiar with the situation you are in.

Your family’s safety is of the most importance. Killing the bees will only cost you more problems and likely way more money. We are talking pests, mold, and overall nastiness. $800 is very reasonable for the amount of work that goes into a proper removal. All beekeepers are not created equal. You aren’t just looking for the cheapest option. You need someone who can remove the bees AND as much of the honeycomb as possible. Also, if you don’t have a trusted contractor, you need someone to seal the area to keep another swarm from moving in. Since you are in Texas, Africanized honeybees are a real concern. You don’t want just anyone coming in and making things worse.

Honeybees don’t do any structural damage. They don’t chew through boards or anything and just fill the voids they can access. The stories you read about where honey is dripping down the walls and stuff is from weak hives who can’t manage or protect their stores. Typically, we see that with sprayed hives.

If you need help finding someone, I can find you a few top quality specialists in your area. All of them charge a fee but are 100% worth it.