Williston Park homeowner says bee problem stems from hive on county property

The bees have been swarming around the roof and chimney of Mary Anne Dillon’s home, keeping her and her loved ones and her dog inside out of fear of being stung.

News 12 Staff

May 7, 2021, 4:46 PM

Updated 1,328 days ago

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A Williston Park homeowner says thousands of bees are swarming around her home.
The bees have been swarming around the roof and chimney of Mary Anne Dillon’s home, keeping her and her loved ones and her dog inside out of fear of being stung.
"When you see thousands of them, it's a little concerning," she says. "Yesterday after they started to swarm, we locked ourselves in the house. We went around closing all the windows because they're looking for a new nest and I've been told they can get into your house."
Dillon says the problem started last summer when she noticed bees swarming out of a hollow tree behind her fence which she says is on county property. She says she wants the county to remove the tree and the hive so she can use her backyard.
Rich Blohm, a beekeeper who spoke to News 12, says one way to get those bees out of the tree is to set up a bait hive. It’s a way to coax the bees out of the hive so they can be relocated.
He says the split bee colonies between the tree and the home is “how they procreate.” He says it's likely that these honey bees are only taking up a temporary residence on Dillon's roof while they scout out a permanent home for their colony.
"Hopefully it's another hollow tree and not someone's home or garage," he says.
Nassau County spokespeople say the county will work with Cornell Cooperative to relocate the bees. There was no word on when that would happen.
Bee experts say unlike wasps or yellow jackets, honey bees will only sting if they are provoked or to defend their young, and they don't usually sting when they swarm.