Problem Solver: Bee Infestation Comes to an End

By Dianne Derby
Anchor
Published: August 1, 2008

“If the house is quiet you can hear the buzzing,“ said Spartanburg resident Deborah Foster.
Foster has big problem with bees. In fact, she’s had to close off a room of her Spartanburg home worried she’d be stung.

“This window right here I tried to caulk it but they got in that window and the caulking came out,“ said Foster.
Foster says she couldn’t afford the $5000 cost she was quoted to get rid of them. So on Wednesday 7 On Your Side enlisted the help of Beekeeper Charlie Holden who offered to take away the 60,000 plus bees for just a few hundred dollars.
On Friday morning he was back to haul them off and we wanted to catch it all on tape. Photojournalist Tommy Colones suited up in a protective netting and I was quick to follow. But Mr. Holden didn’t seem to have an ounce of worry about getting stung since he used smoke to tire out the bees who gorge themselves on honey when they think there’s a fire.
Within the first few minutes that Mr. Holden cut into the ceiling honey came dripping out of a the ceiling but Holden said, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.“

He was right! As he pulled down the ceiling, bees flew out and he vacuumed them into a hive he built. Then as he pulled back several feet of the ceiling you could see thousands of bees and rows and rows of honeycomb dripping with honey. He said he’d take the honeycomb back to feed to the bees in the dozens of hives he keeps.

“It is very amazing just to see the (honeycomb) size, see the bees flying,“ said Foster. “It’s just amazing and the honey dripping.“

Vena Mizell who also lives in the home is in awe.

“As long as we been here I never thought those bees were up there,“ said Mizell. “I always thought they were on the outside.“

Now with help of Mr. Holden and 7 On Your Side Mrs. Foster will get to take back the room these bees have taken over.
“I can move in that room and i’m going to be the first one to sleep in that room,“ said Foster. “I’m going to fix my room up and finally get to sleep in it bee free.“
“Thank you for helping me, thank you for finding him to help me get the bees out because without you we wouldn’t have been able to do it,“ said Foster.

Beekeeper Charlie Holden says Mrs. Foster’s bee infestation is common. He says if you don’t fill in the cracks and crevices outside your home with caulk you could be in for trouble. If you’d like more information about protecting your home click here.
To find a referral for a beekeeper contact your local Clemson Extension offices. For a list of offices in your area click here.