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Apian Sting Operation and its parent
company, Appalachian Spring Bee Services, have been in business for
over 30 years. We were pioneers in the establishment of bee problem
resolution statewide. Today, The Sting Operation maintains a highly
skilled team of bee men trained and certified to
settle beehive or wasp problems wherever they may occur.
Pinellas County has developed into a thickly-populated urban area.
This region remains highly concentrated with commercial beehives,
especially during the fall, where the Brazilian Pepper Trees bloom
profusely. Hundreds of bee keepers place thousands of beehives from
Ozona, in the north, to Gulfport, in the south. The nectar flow is
abundant and provides a rich supply of winter stores for the bees.
Many of the sweet breads, consumed in Florida, contain Brazilian
Pepper Honey as an ingredient.
Today, many citizens fear the presence of
beehives near their homes and businesses. Apian understands these
concerns but also wants to emphasize the importance that
honeybees play in keeping the environment in balance. Honeybee
pollination ensures us of an abundance of produce and feed for
cattle, etc. Our quest is to remove feral bees from areas of concern
and to encourage good apiary management practices to protect both
humans and bees alike. Bee Removal is our business. We charge fees
for our services. The price ranges from $ 75.00 to $ 750.00
depending upon the complexity of the project. Apian Sting Operation
strives to provide complete satisfaction (happiness) for our
customers. Our team loves working among the bees and sharing the
adventure of bee removal with our fellow Floridians.
Tarpon Springs
is where the bee adventures begin. Some of the older homes, in the
business district, attract wall infestations. Across the Lagoon, at
Point Alexis, bees form nests beneath the floors of stilted homes or
high up in the pillars supporting Grecian-style porches. You better
have a tall ladder or lift when removing these beehives. While
fishermen offload their daily catch, at The Sponge Docks and young
men dive for the Orthodox prize, the bees of Tarpon Springs gather
Orange blossom, Palmetto, and Brazilian Pepper nectar.
When honeybees form nests in floors, Apian
recommends that the colony be exposed in order to remove both bees
and combs. Residual bees can be Problematic. A residual
pesticide should be delivered and a treated catch box should be
installed near the exterior port of entry. To prevent
re-infestation, a screen mesh should be placed where the bees once
nested. Lastly, the floor material (wood or otherwise) must be
replaced.
Bee problems in pillars, decorative
columns, and poles cannot normally be removed efficiently. In each
case, the damage to structures must be weighed against the
desirability of rescuing individual colonies. The bee specialist
should consider the amount of attention (return visits, etc) and
construction required for a live removal.
Round pillars make for difficult live
removal. Generally, Apian recommends eradicating these feral
colonies and then excluding entrances. On the other hand, square
wooden pillars can sometimes be taken apart and the bees, with their
combs, extracted. Bees in poles (utility and the like) are
eradicated most often.
Decorative columns vary in construction.
Usually, the column can be incised and the bee or wasp infestation
removed. Repair is difficult and should be delegated to one skilled
in such repairs.
From Tarpon Springs, The bee team was
called to treat a tree infestation in
Ozona. A lofty oak supported an exposed honeybee colony
which appeared as a dark mass upon a large limb. This exposed colony
chose to build their home in the open. In a high wind, the fragile
waxen mass could have been dislodged. If the falling bees had landed
near people, they would most likely have attacked everyone in sight.
The exposed colony was saved since it was possible to lower it
from the tree. Apian placed the combs and bees in a plastic
five-gallon bucket and transferred them to a hive.
Many of the oak trees, of Pinellas, are old
and hollow. Bees in tree voids are difficult to transfer. These are
usually eradicated and the entryways sealed. If live removal is
required, an escape cone must be fitted into the entrance and all
other ports closed. A small beehive should be placed near the bee’s
entrance. This hive will contain empty combs, some honey, and a
small amount of brood with adult bees and queen. The transfer takes
about three weeks and the cost is much higher than eradication.
Before our Team Departed the Ozona area ,
we decided to spend a relaxing moment in this quaint area known for
its shady oaks, throw-back shops from the turn-of-the-century, and a
nice view of the Gulf. We spoke with Dave, current owner of
Frenchy’s Ozona Stone Crab Company. This operation has been in
business since 1896. Dave told us that Ozona (originally named,
“Yellow Bluff”) was once a thriving fishing village where tons of
Mullet and Grouper were harvested daily. This nostalgic and
gastronomic moment created a certain gut feeling (we were ready for
lunch). The team enjoyed a wonderful dining experience on the patio
of one of Ozona’s choice restaurants. The early spring breeze was
invigorating and the view was breathtakingly beautiful. In
Dunedin,
Apian removed bees and combs from a water meter. In the past, water
meters did not provide enough space for a bee colony. Today, bees
often swarm with smaller numbers. These colonies, about the size of
a grapefruit, may be Africanized or weakened, diseased colonies. In
either case, Apian prefers to eradicate bees in water meters to
avoid the danger of an unsafe capture.
As the Apian Team traveled south down U.S.
19A, we took note of the Scottish flavor of the Dunedin-Palm Harbor
area. I happened to have an old Mendelssohn disc in my truck stereo.
We listened joyfully to “The Scottish Symphony” as we looked forward
to our next adventure. We visited “Harry” and his daughter, who sell
honey in this area. Harry has ceased chasing bees around so he sends
his customers to us. We just wanted to let Harry know how much we
appreciated the referrals.
Palm Harbor
and
Safety Harbor
crown the scenic vistas of upper Tampa Bay. Honeybees thrive here
where pepper trees and an abundance of other flora are extant.
Joggers skip along the well-maintained trails among the thick growth
of mangroves. The Bay provides a pleasant retreat from the hurried
atmosphere of the cities. The foraging bees pose no danger here.
However, an occasional yellow jacket nest, hidden in Pampas Grass,
must be dealt with.
Apian has often been called to remove bees
from the ceilings and walls of both new and old structures.
Honeybees in ceilings pose many challenges: the removal is usually
from inside the structure, the ceiling material may be hard to
incise (older homes), the escaping bees could contaminate the living
space, the dripping honeycombs are messy, and the returning bees may
later enter the structure.
A homeowner in
Safety Harbor
complained of hearing bees in her bedroom attic. The site was east
of Philippi Hwy near the Bay. Examination revealed bees
entering between two floors through a deteriorated space in the wood
siding. Resmethrin 3% was delivered through the exterior port.
Seconds later, the bees increased their movements and could be heard
from the opposite side of the bedroom. The colony was
pinpointed by feeling for vibrations in the ceiling and for
increased heat below the nest. A probe was inserted at the suspected
nest area. When it was retracted, honey was noticed on the shaft.
A two foot section was chosen for incision.
This incision was made with a sharp knife. At this point, a large
sheet of 3mm plastic was secured to the wall and floor beneath the
bee colony. The excess humming subsided. The cut ceiling section was
removed, along with the attached insulation. A small amount of
resmethrin was delivered directly onto the remaining bees. After the
combs were vacated, they were excised with a hive tool. The brood
area, near the bottom of the combs, was cut away first. The heavier,
sticky honey was then cut away and placed in a contractor garbage
bag.
With most of the bee removal complete, all
that was left was to clean the remaining comb parts and bees from
the ceiling and to close the space. Once the void was cleared of
nest material, the bee’s port of entry could be seen. It was
excluded with a section of 1/8” mesh hardware cloth. To safeguard
against future infestation, a mattress of wire mesh was placed
between the joists and the outside entry was excluded.
The customer agreed to take responsibility
for the repair of her ceiling. However, Apian covered the incised
area with plastic sheeting secured with duct tape and a few staples.
Over 100lbs. of honey, with bees, was removed as well as the
heightened degree of anxiety our customer had experienced.
In retrospect, this homeowner was,
understandably, reluctant to have her ceiling cut. When the
procedure was complete, she realized how necessary it was for us to
remove the beehive. Her smile of contentment was gratifying.
The sparkling city of
Clearwater,
with its many parks and recreation areas, has chosen Apian to deal
with its feral bee population. Honeybees do not only infest tree
voids, water meters, and wall spaces, but also, in the city, tall
utility poles and multi-level office buildings come under attack.
Often, lifts are required to access these aerial bees and wasps. One
thing is for certain: When hoisted seventy feet in the air, you
better be wearing your bee suit. The bees of Pinellas are becoming
more protective and will attack any intruder. Working at great
heights presents new elements of danger alright. However, the team
always enjoys the wonderful view of Tampa Bay and The Gulf Beaches.
These experiences add to the adventure and pleasure of dealing with
bee problems.
James, my City of Clearwater friend and
contact is calling, even as I write this story. No doubt, one of his
parks has bees. Dealing with wonderful people, like James, has
created a web of friendships that will last a lifetime.
Bees and Floridians are beach-goers. A bee
adventure, on
Clearwater Beach,
combines the joy of working with nature with the exhilarating
sensual stimulation of sand and sea and sky. Honeybees often infest
new construction, which is constant on this narrow island. Bees also
move into apartment soffits and swarm, unexpectedly, onto beach
umbrellas, chairs, and palm trees.
Apian has often been retained to deliver
frightened guests/visitors, of bees, from
Indian Rocks Beach
to
Fort Desoto.
When bees enter a wall or ceiling void, newly-arrived swarms often
mistake light sources as entryways. Honeybees have been known to
get disoriented, within structures, by the hundreds. Usually, these
confused insects will dance upon windows until they exhaust their
supply of energy.
Here is some helpful advice: Turn off all
lighting in the area where the bees are entering. Exclude the colony
strays by shutting doors to other rooms or compartments. Call Apian
Sting Operation- 800-927-8206. Apian will remove the bee problem
and deliver the occupants. The dead bees must never be suctioned in
a standard vacuum cleaner. The crushed bees will deteriorate within
the device and produce a foul odor. Use a shop-vac.
Apian was called to investigate a 40 foot
high exposed nest in Belleair Bluffs. The team made a right turn off
U.S. 19 at the corner of Belleair Rd. and headed west. When we
pulled into the location, an elderly Irish lady, with red hair, met
us and pointed out the lofty nest. She told the team that her funds
were limited and wanted to know how we intended to tackle the
elevated problem. We told her to watch as the master bee removers
did their work. She kept repeating, “ you will never get them at
that height”. After making assessments, the team went into action.
We used a 28ft. ladder to secure safely to a limb below the bee
colony. We then attached a CO2-activated container of Resmethrin to
a 20 ft. pole. With this innovation, we were able to deliver enough
product to eradicate the bees from the combs. A residual pesticide,
combined with the Resmethrin, ensured an effective removal. This
project, if accomplished with the aid of a lift device, would have
cost the elderly lady around $ 500.00. The team was willing to do
this operation gratis. However, The Irish lady insisted on paying us
$30. We thanked her and saluted Galway, her homeland city in
Ireland. We also promised to buy a few bars of Irish Spring Soap .
After all, who doesn’t enjoy feeling like, “springtime in Ireland” ?
In Pinellas, it is often difficult to
determine what city you are in. The boundaries change from
block-to-block. CVS Pharmacy had a bee problem in
Seminole. The manager said his
store was located in
Largo,
but his address was in
Clearwater.
How could that be? He explained that the bees were in a tree in his
rear parking lot (Seminole). His
store was sitting in
Largo
but his mail delivery was
Clearwater
(the street in front of the store). Wow, even the English lady, who
directs my voice activated Garmin, was all mixed up. I had to be
talked in to the location by the manager. The question was----where
did Lar go? Ans.-- It went to Seminole in search of Clear
water-----( chuckle------).
Along 54th street, heading west
from
Kenneth City
to
Boca Ciega Bay,
feral bee swarms are in abundance. The majority of complaints come
in the spring and fall, when nectar-bearing plants abound. The older
structures, of this area, provide suitable habitat. Across the Bay,
honeybees inhabit bird and owl houses. Apian has a good supply of
these from the numerous removals from all parts of Pinellas County.
Northeast
St Petersburg does not escape the swarming bees. At the east
end of 62nd Ave., Brazilian Pepper Trees abound. This
great nectar harvest, in the fall, attracts beekeepers with their
teeming hives. The bees, loaded with lemon-colored honey, reach
large populations and many swarm reproductively.
Apian has taken many fat swarms, from
trees, over the years. When shaken into a cardboard box, the bees
slide like sand between the slanted flaps of the container. A
laundry bag is used to prevent escape and provide ventilation. When
these bees are placed into a hive, we pour them onto a queen
excluder, placed between two bee boxes (hive bodies). The worker
bees migrate to the bottom box through the queen excluder. The
reproductive drones and queen are then easily caught and
exterminated. A gentle queen is introduced to promote good
behavioral characteristics.
Along 22nd Avenue South, between
Gulfport
and Tyrone Blvd., honeybee infestations are also very prevalent. The
Gulfport Fire Department has also reported numerous yellow jacket
nests.
In
Gulfport,
Apian removed a large, established beehive from a parapet roof. The
bees had colonized a 3ft. square area within the raised parapet
itself. The team cut the tar paper and plywood to expose the colony.
Since this area was known for its high Africanized bee population,
we exterminated the entire colony. About 75 lbs. of honey and bees
was removed. A screen mesh was placed in the void and a roofer
repaired the parapet. (When exposing a structure to possible water
damage, a skilled construction crew should make repairs immediately)
Yellow jackets are members of the hornet
family (Vespula). Although adults sip sweet liquids; (you may have
seen them enter your soft drink container); they do not store
surpluses of honey nor produce wax nor royal jelly. Instead, they
harvest flesh and other insects which they masticate and feed to
their brood. The eggs, larvae, and pupae are completely dependent
upon the adults for nurturing, climate control, and colony defense.
The sting of a yellow Jacket is more
painful and irritates longer than that of a bee. Many venom-induced
deaths are the result of multiple stings from these defensive
insects. You had better run fast if you wander into one of their
nests.
Yellow Jackets have a wide range of
habitats. Apian has observed nests as large as compact cars beneath
modular homes, fashioned around palm trees, hiding among pampas
grass, burrowing in fern beds, wrapping themselves in old rolls of
carpet, enveloping their nests in wall voids, hanging from cypress
limbs, and in open areas as subterranean colonies.
Our team has made several attempts to
transfer colonies of Vespids without success. Vespids (yellow
jackets, hornets, paper wasps, and mason wasps) do not appear to
adapt to new locations like bees do. Exceptionally, the bald-faced
hornet relocates nicely. Apian has often transferred entire nests
while observing very little break in their foraging or reproductive
behaviors. Following relocation, the hornets will be ill for about a
week. They will chase after anything or anyone that approaches them
during this attitude adjustment period.
Most Vespids, as well as bumblebees
diminish, in the late fall, to only the gravid (reproductively
viable) females. These individuals seek a protected resting place to
await a new spring and a biogenesis of their species. The
over-wintered females forage, construct a nest, and lay their first
eggs. When the emerged new adults reach foraging development, the
queens dedicate their activities to egg-laying. The yellow jacket
colonies grow throughout the spring and summer. Whereas, colonies
may be small and hardly noticed in March; by June, their numbers
will have greatly expanded. They can readily be spotted as their
membranous wings glint in the sunlight with thousands of scurrying
insects entering and departing their nest sites.
Our Pinellas Adventures finale was
extraordinary. A construction company was building a magnificent
home overlooking the Gulf. A huge yellow Jacket nest was wrapped
around a Palm Tree in the back of the property. The foreman wanted
the Apian Team to remove this hazard immediately. During the slower
winter season, we had engineered several helpful devices for use in
such situations as this. We attached an air sprayer to an extension
pole. Using an auxiliary hose and hand-held trigger valve, the team
delivered atomized Resmethrin into the ports of the nest. Soon, the
insects began to drop and squirm upon the sandy beach. Next, we
assembled a claw-like attachment onto the extension pole. With this
implement, we pulled the nest away from the trunk of the palm tree.
We treated the remaining insects with pyrethroid dust. This was one
of the largest aerial nests that we handled this year in Pinellas
County. You may rest assured; the team was dressed in protective
wear for this procedure.
Large yellow Jacket nests are too dangerous
for attempted eradication by a novice. Call the pros in these cases.
The team was exhausted and hot by now. We
decided to take advantage of a public grill, located along the beach
near Long Key. Here, we grilled
fresh grouper and served it along with slaw and hush puppies. Beyond
Pass-A-Grille, the western sky was taking on a fiery glow as sunset
approached. In the distance, sailing vessels caught the glint of the
twilight as they headed for the docks. Our heated bodies savored the
balmy breeze and our endorphic minds became at one with our
surroundings and our team members. There was great satisfaction in
knowing we had given our best to our customers and we realized how
special the people and places of Pinellas really were.
When the sun set, like a fireball, over
Pinellas,
The moonlight sparkled along the Gulf and
Bay.
The illuminated cities had much to tell us
As the master bee hunters came their way.
Raymond Mills-----Apian Sting Operation
FLORIDABEREMOVAL.COM
FALL--2007 |
