During the renovation of a long-abandoned 1938 home in downtown Puyallup, Washington, a construction crew discovered a massive colony of honey bees, later estimated at 300,000, nesting within the walls for over 30 years. Rather than exterminating them, the team opted for a professional bee rescue operation.

Hidden Hive Discovery

When Joe Bowers, owner of Bowers Plumbing and Remodel, began restoring the overgrown property last summer, the team quickly noticed a large number of bees buzzing around. “I was just shocked and intrigued about how many bees it really was,” Bowers said. The home was so obscured by trees that most passersby didn’t even know it existed. “All you can see from the street was a garage door if you really looked,” he added.

Forgotten Home, Buzzing Life

The historic home had been left untouched for decades by its previous owner. As work progressed, the team found the bees had flourished undisturbed inside the structure. Initial estimates suggested 250,000 bees, but further investigation pushed that number to nearly 300,000.

A Rare Find

Beekeeper Michael Pernorio, with over 10 years of experience, called the discovery “almost unheard of.” He explained that such an immense hive could only exist because the house had been sealed off from human activity for so long. “It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime find,” Bowers commented.

Rescue Over Removal

Instead of hiring an exterminator, Bowers chose to relocate the colony safely. “It does cost us more time and delays the project, but it’s ultimately the right decision to make,” he said. Pernorio stepped in to oversee the delicate removal.

Delicate Bee Relocation

Pernorio has been removing the honeycombs manually, transferring the bees into special wooden boxes, each capable of housing up to 110,000 bees. His first effort filled three full boxes. He has since been caring for the bees at his 10-acre property in Buckley. “The bees are now being safely relocated by Michael, who is monitoring the queen’s behavior and working to rehome the colony in a safe, stable environment where they can continue to thrive,” Bowers shared in a Facebook post.

Queen Bee in Focus

Among the combs was the queen bee, distinguishable by her longer tail. Pernorio has kept a close eye on her behavior to ensure colony stability. As of now, the remodel is ongoing, with more bees still being found inside the home’s walls and ceilings.

A Vanishing Species

The discovery comes amid growing concern over the decline of honey bee populations in the U.S. “Over the past decade, annual losses have typically ranged between 40 and 50%,” reports Washington State University Insider. Bees play a critical role in pollination, food security, and ecosystem balance, making rescues like this even more vital.