In Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands, a family discovered a massive bee colony living in the ceiling of their spare bedroom after the grandchildren reported hearing strange buzzing sounds at night. According to a BBC report, the homeowner suspected uninvited guests in the ceiling but was shocked to find approximately 180,000 bees.
After noticing bees flying into the house, the homeowner contacted Andrew Card, owner of the Loch Ness Honey Company, for assistance. Card told The Press and Journal that he initially used a thermal imaging camera to locate the bee colonies. He suspected a large number of bees but was surprised by what he found when he removed the plasterboard.
Three distinct colonies had established themselves in the ceiling, with a honeycomb approximately 2.4 meters long. Card estimated that up to 180,000 bees were living inside, with the oldest nest potentially being seven years old. Card and a friend carefully relocated the bees to temporary hives. They then had to manage the larvae and beeswax, and due to the heat, they were covered in dripping honey.
Card will keep the massive bee colony in quarantine hives for six weeks to monitor them for parasites. Afterward, they will join the farm and contribute to honey production next year. Even for the experienced Card, this was the first time dealing with such a large indoor hive, and he urges the public to contact beekeepers for assistance if they discover a hive in their home to ensure proper conservation. "Don't assume the bees will fly away; they will only settle further into the house," he warned.
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