Michigan Family Besieged By Tens Of Thousands Of Bees
SAGINAW (AP/WWJ) - A Saginaw family is being besieged by tens of thousands of bees living in a maple tree at their home.
Toby Sewell, owner of J&T Beekeepers, tells The Saginaw News that he estimates 60,000 to 70,000 bees were living in the tree.
Crystal Parker says the bees swarmed Sunday above her home. "Saying there were a lot of bees would be an understatement," she says.
Sewell said he's dealt with past problems with big bee colonies and says he's got a plan to get the bees out of the neighborhood about 85 miles northwest of Detroit.
Despite the intimidating noise and sheer size of their swarms, Sewell said honey bees are not aggressive unless their territory is disturbed. He'll build a beehive replica, seal off all but one entrance to the inside of the tree and lure bees into the replica.
Sewell said he plans to move the bees, which can cost up to $100 dollars for around 10,000 bees, to his property to pollinate crops as well as to generate honey.
Parker's now worried about what she'll do with the hollowed out maple tree left behind. She said the lowest estimate to cut it down and remove is is $1,600.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has tips on bee-proofing your home, keeping bees away from your pool, protecting your pets from bees, and dealing with bee stings AT THIS LINK.
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