Jul 10, 2009 5:19 pm US/Central
Irving Church Able To Solve Bee Problem Humanely
IRVING (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
An Irving church has found a natural way to get rid of some potentially dangerous pests.
The Shady Grove Church of God in Christ had to do a lot of research to remove some honeybees without killing them.
Some of the hive's worker bees will likely hang around awhile until they are attracted to any other hive that might be nearby. But removing the bulk of the bees safely Friday was not as easy as one would think.
Pastor Joe Starks relates to the bee population biblically. "It's given us a whole new appreciation of the gifts of milk and honey."
Starks says the bees have been around about a year. But when a worshipper was stung Tuesday, he decided a removal was warranted. But most pest companies exterminate the problem.
Enter Tim Hall of Batsmith Creek Beeyard. A beekeeper himself, Hall specializes in live removals.
Hall estimates there are roughly 20 to 40 thousand bees in the church's hive. They are honeybees, meaning they are not the aggressive Africanized variety, and they've produced 5-8 pounds of honey.
Hall gets the queen, the brood, and the eggs with the aid of a specially designed vacuum.
And unless someone has an allergic reaction, Hall says these bees are nothing more than a simple nuisance.
Hall says he has to take the whole hive and honeycomb, otherwise he leaves a sweet attraction for other unwanted pests.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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