Worcester beehives removed after residents plagued by swarms
City councillor Sarah Murray had claimed there were 21 hives in the back garden that were unmanaged and she estimated they could contain up to one million bees.On Friday, a spokesman for Worcester City Council said: "After being alerted to the situation Worcestershire Regulatory Services, acting on behalf of the City Council, quickly investigated the matter."This has resulted in the beehives being removed from the property, without any formal action being required."
Residents had told the BBC the problem had developed over years and one woman, who gave her name as Julie, said she had kept videos and a photo diary of the swarms "for the last couple of years".Murray also said the issue had "gone well beyond a private matter" as she called for action.She said families, pets and workers were being stung, residents were unable to open windows and home maintenance had been disrupted.She also raised concerns over the environmental impact because honeybees in excessive numbers could outcompete bumblebees, solitary bees and butterflies.
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