>> FROM YOUR CAPE CORAL NEWS TEAM, A NEIGHBORHOOD IS BUZZING OVER THIS GIANT BEEHIVE. THIS IS AT A HOUSE ON CHIQUITA BOULEVARD AND TROPICANA PARKWAY GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER AND A TOUCH OF GASOL IS LEARNING HOW YOU CAN GET RID OF THESE WITHOUT HURTING THEM. >> OR YOURSELF. BEFORE YOU START TO PANIC TO THE SOUND OF BUZZING IN YOUR BACKYARD, YOU MAY WANT TO PAUSE AS THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF BE REMOVALS HAPPENING IN OUR AREA. AND EXPERTS SAY THE WAY YOU REMOVE THE BEES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR YOU. AND THE BEES. >> WE GENERALLY TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW. THE B’S AND PEOPLE CAN LIVE PEACEFULLY TOGETHER. NATHAN BAILEY, WHO IS ONE OF THE MANY FIELD SUPERVISORS FOR TONY’S PEST CONTROL. THEY REMOVE ALL TYPES OF CRITTERS, INCLUDING BEES. HE TELLS ME THESE LOVE TO CRAWL INTO TIGHT PLACES AND CREATE A HIVE. PLUS THE COLD WEATHER CAN DRIVE THEM TO HUDDLE IN CLUSTERS. >> SOMETIMES IN OUR AROUND YOUR HOME, THE BIG THING I WOULD SAY CHECK. YOUR SAW, FITS CHECKED. >> ANY HOLES LIKE WHERE A PIPE OR ELECTRIC GOES INTO THE HOUSE. JUST LIKE THIS ONE INSIDE THE WALL OF A RENTAL PROPERTY IN CAPE CORAL. SO LOTS OF TIMES WHEN BE SWARM THAT SOME PEOPLE FIND ANOTHER FINDING BUSHES AND PALM TREES ON THE YOU KNOW, PUT ON FACEBOOK LOOKING FOR A BEEKEEPER. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY I’LL LIVE ALONG. THEY’RE GONNA GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. LOTS OF TIMES. THEY DO MOST OFTEN THEY DON’T. EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT SWARM SEASON BEE KEEPER. JASON THOMAS SAYS HE’S BEEN BUSY JUST THIS WEEK AND I DID. >> TOTAL OF 8 REMOVALS JUST HERE IN LEE COUNTY. HE URGES PEOPLE TO CALL BEE KEEPERS INSTEAD OF USING PESTICIDES TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM THAT CAN HARM ENTIRE COLONIES AND WE NEED THEM. BEES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR ECOSYSTEM. AND PAULA DE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF CROPS WE EAT I
Bee removals increase in Cape Coral as experts advise caution
Updated: 7:41 PM EST Jan 20, 2026
With an increase in bee removals in Cape Coral, experts are advising residents to consider their response carefully to ensure the safety of both people and bees. Nathan Veilleux, a field supervisor for Tony’s Pest Control, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between humans and bees.”We generally try to do everything we can to make sure that, you know, the bees and people can live peacefully together,” Veilleux said.Veilleux, who is part of a team that removes various critters, including bees, explained that bees often crawl into tight spaces to create hives, especially during cold weather when they cluster in or around homes. He advised homeowners to inspect areas like soffits and any holes where pipes or electrical lines enter the house.Jason Thomas, a beekeeper, noted that bee swarms are often discovered in bushes, on palm trees, or on roofs, prompting people to seek beekeepers on social media.”So lots of times when bees swarm, that’s when people find them at their house. They’ll find them in bushes, on palm trees, on the roof. You know, they’ll put on Facebook. Hey, I’m looking for a beekeeper. A lot of people say, oh, leave me alone. They’re going to go somewhere else. Lots of times they do. Most often they don’t,” Thomas said.Despite it not being swarm season, Thomas has been busy, having completed eight removals in Lee County just over the weekend. He urged people to contact beekeepers instead of using pesticides, which can harm entire colonies. Bees play a critical role in the ecosystem, pollinating about one-third of the crops we consume.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
With an increase in bee removals in Cape Coral, experts are advising residents to consider their response carefully to ensure the safety of both people and bees.
Nathan Veilleux, a field supervisor for Tony’s Pest Control, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between humans and bees.
“We generally try to do everything we can to make sure that, you know, the bees and people can live peacefully together,” Veilleux said.
Veilleux, who is part of a team that removes various critters, including bees, explained that bees often crawl into tight spaces to create hives, especially during cold weather when they cluster in or around homes. He advised homeowners to inspect areas like soffits and any holes where pipes or electrical lines enter the house.
Jason Thomas, a beekeeper, noted that bee swarms are often discovered in bushes, on palm trees, or on roofs, prompting people to seek beekeepers on social media.
“So lots of times when bees swarm, that’s when people find them at their house. They’ll find them in bushes, on palm trees, on the roof. You know, they’ll put on Facebook. Hey, I’m looking for a beekeeper. A lot of people say, oh, leave me alone. They’re going to go somewhere else. Lots of times they do. Most often they don’t,” Thomas said.
Despite it not being swarm season, Thomas has been busy, having completed eight removals in Lee County just over the weekend. He urged people to contact beekeepers instead of using pesticides, which can harm entire colonies. Bees play a critical role in the ecosystem, pollinating about one-third of the crops we consume.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.