Honey Bee Removal From Mennel Milling Grain Bin

July 2025 – Fostoria, Ohio

Disinfecting industrial equipment at a manufacturing plant for hygiene and safety.

Job Notes

In July 2025, The Mindful Beekeeper responded to a unique challenge in Fostoria, where a customer reported honeybees nesting inside the door of an exterior grain bin. Requiring a 20-foot climb, our team expertly used ropes to safely lower the comb and bee box to the ground. With precision and care, we successfully removed and relocated over 20,000 bees to our thriving farm, ensuring their preservation while protecting the property.

Steel beekeeping infrastructure at Apiary site, promoting sustainable hive management.

Staging

At The Mindful Beekeeper, we take on challenging bee removal tasks with dedication and care. This image captures me in action during a July 2025 job in Fostoria, where I tackled a honeybee colony nestled inside the door of an exterior grain bin. Dressed in my protective gear, I’m seen crouching at the base of a towering 20-foot structure, preparing to use ropes to safely lower the comb and relocate over 20,000 bees to our thriving farm.

Beekeeper honeycomb harvesting in an automated hive system, emphasizing sustainable beekeeping practices.

The Colony

I managed a honeybee colony housed inside the door of a grain bin, featuring 7 tightly packed layers of comb. Using cool mist water to calm the bees during extraction, I carefully removed over 20,000 bees and relocated them to our thriving farm, showcasing our dedication to preserving these vital pollinators while ensuring a safe and controlled process.

1. Dirty and rusted interior of beehive equipment with mold and corrosion.

After Removal

7 layers of comb can be seen at the top of the door where the remaining comb is still attached. The area was pressure washed & any beeswax scraped away to prevent re-infestation.

Busy honey bees working on hive frames at The Mindful Beekeeper farm.

Arrival at The Mindful Beekeeper

Once the bees were relocated, they were inspected and tested for mites. This colony was one of the least aggressive colonies I have extracted this summer.

Beekeeper honey extraction frames illuminated with red light, urban beekeeping scene.

Nighttime Structuring

Darkness fell before I could restructure the colony into a functional hive. Therefore I used red light while I worked throughout the night.

Busy bee pollinating on a human finger at The Mindful Beekeeper apiary.

New Home, Happy Bees

Did you know a honeybee will only produce 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in it’s lifetime?

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