Purdy resident deals with unwelcome guests
Last year (above, left), a colony of bees took up residence in a large white oak tree in Dave and Debbie Redshaw's yard in Purdy. This year, Dave Redshaw says the colony is about one and a half the original size (above, right). He is looking for suggestions abpout how to successfully remove or relocate the colony.
August 4, 2021
Sheila Harris
Dave Redshaw, of Purdy, is faced with a challenge. An ever-growing colony of bees has established a huge hive inside of a tree in front of his house, and he is at a loss about what his next step should be.
“This has been really interesting,” he said, “but the problem is way out of my league.”
Redshaw first noticed the bees on the large white oak tree in front of his house last year, but didn’t think too much about it, until the colony grew to over one and a half times its original size this year. Now, he’s concerned.
“They haven’t really been a problem as far as trying to sting us,” he said, referring to himself and his wife Debbie. “When I go out to pick cucumbers in my garden, they’ll be all over the vines, but I’ve never been stung.”
However, because the tree is located alongside a public street in Purdy, he’s concerned that if the bee population continues to grow, it could become a nuisance, if not a hazard.
Redshaw says his son, Bryan Redshaw, inserted a camera into the hole in the tree where the bees were swarming and discovered that the tree is hollow inside and it appears that the bees plan to take up permanent residence.
“I’ve talked to several bee-people who came by,” Redshaw said, “and they’re telling me I’ll need to cut the tree down to get rid of them.”
Redshaw welcomes suggestions from the community. If anybody has advice for him, please contact the office of The Barry County Advertiser at 417-847-4475 and leave a message with your name and phone number.
Sheila Harris
Dave Redshaw, of Purdy, is faced with a challenge. An ever-growing colony of bees has established a huge hive inside of a tree in front of his house, and he is at a loss about what his next step should be.
“This has been really interesting,” he said, “but the problem is way out of my league.”
Redshaw first noticed the bees on the large white oak tree in front of his house last year, but didn’t think too much about it, until the colony grew to over one and a half times its original size this year. Now, he’s concerned.
“They haven’t really been a problem as far as trying to sting us,” he said, referring to himself and his wife Debbie. “When I go out to pick cucumbers in my garden, they’ll be all over the vines, but I’ve never been stung.”
However, because the tree is located alongside a public street in Purdy, he’s concerned that if the bee population continues to grow, it could become a nuisance, if not a hazard.
Redshaw says his son, Bryan Redshaw, inserted a camera into the hole in the tree where the bees were swarming and discovered that the tree is hollow inside and it appears that the bees plan to take up permanent residence.
“I’ve talked to several bee-people who came by,” Redshaw said, “and they’re telling me I’ll need to cut the tree down to get rid of them.”
Redshaw welcomes suggestions from the community. If anybody has advice for him, please contact the office of The Barry County Advertiser at 417-847-4475 and leave a message with your name and phone number.