Bee Removal Begins in Abandoned Fair Oaks Home

Ronald Conn of Eco-Built Construction arrived at 4124 Brookhill Drive around 7 a.m. Thursday with gear he hoped would protect him against the hundreds of thousands of bees he was prepared to face off against in the first steps of removing them and renovating the dilapidated home. 

He finished his first phase of the project around 10 a.m. During that time he received approximately 20 to 25 bee stings.

"We got a portion of the rock removed today, one hive out today and exposed a portion of a second hive," Conn said. "We need to head back when it's early, nice and cool out and when they're (the bees) are too worked up. I got them pretty worked up today."

A Sacramento Beekeeper Association member and six-year beekeeper, Sergey Bochilo accompanied Conn to the site and was able to remove many of the bees from that first hive.

"This is the worst I've seen before," Bochilo said. “Inside the walls there are at least three or four different hives and there are quite a few bees out there, so it's pretty bad."

Bochilo explains that he will try to remove the bees safely and take as many of the bees away as he can, but "those hives are pretty big."

"Whatever we can, I will pull out, but quite a few of the bees will probably be killed off," Bochilo said.

Though Bochilo believes he will be able to remove the majority of bees from the house, many will still remain which will likely need to be destroyed. 

However, Sacramento County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, Ramona Saunders explains eliminating the remaining bees isn’t necessarily a sure bet the bees won’t return.

Saunders explains bees pick up on scents and recognize areas where bees have hived before.

Construction on the house as well as the removal of the bees is likely to take multiple days, Conn said.

Neighbors welcome the renovations and are happy to see the bees finally leaving the area.

“We are extremely grateful to the Vogellus family and their friends for their willingness to repair the house and transport the bees,” said neighbor Meg Helton. “This is something that the neighbors have fought for and desired for decades.  It will be nice to have neighbors across the street.”