Tampa, Florida – A seemingly idyllic move to a peaceful neighborhood in Tampa turned into a hair-raising experience for John and Stephanie Gram, who uncovered an unexpected resident in their newly acquired home – a massive beehive concealed within their bathroom walls.
The Grams, eager for a change of scenery from the hustle of New York, thought they had found their dream home in Tampa. Little did they know that an unsettling surprise awaited them within the walls of their bathroom.
Stephanie first noticed something amiss while going about her morning routine. A persistent buzzing noise echoed through the bathroom, growing louder and more frequent each day. Initially dismissed, the noise soon became unbearable, prompting the couple to investigate.
The source of the disturbance remained elusive until Stephanie had a revelation. The sound was emanating from inside the walls. Concerned, the couple contacted a plumbing specialist, suspecting a possible issue with the pipes. However, the investigation took an unexpected turn.
Upon closer inspection, a sweet and familiar smell permeated the air. Stephanie and John discovered a thick, dark liquid oozing down the walls, akin to tree sap. Mystified, they followed the trail to an astonishing find – a massive beehive residing within the bathroom walls.
The Grams immediately sought the expertise of Alicia Bixler, a bee removal specialist, who arrived with thermal imaging equipment to locate the hive. The thermal imaging camera revealed a colossal hot spot within the walls, indicating the presence of around 35,000 bees.
To their shock, the Grams had unintentionally become hosts to an unprecedented number of bees. Bixler, the bee removal specialist, attempted to relocate the hive, but its size proved insurmountable. The family had to vacate their home temporarily, provided with alternative accommodations by the real estate firm.
The removal process, documented on Bixler’s TikTok account, attracted attention for the sheer magnitude of the hive. Despite the challenges, Bixler expressed excitement at the prospect of relocating the bees to one of her farms.
As the Grams learned about the importance of honey bees to the environment, they also gained a newfound appreciation for these essential pollinators. The incident highlights the need for compassion and responsible action when encountering bee colonies in residential areas.
The Grams’ story serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between cohabiting with nature and the unexpected surprises that can arise in the most unexpected places.
