The incident occurred on the evening of 13/11 at an apartment complex in Gongshu District, Hangzhou. Upon returning home, three residents found the kitchen window screen covered with bees, with hundreds more flying inside the apartment.
The tenants reported the unusual activity had been ongoing for a week. Initially, only a few bees were present, but the buzzing soon persisted day and night. For days, the group lived cautiously. Each time they entered the kitchen, they had to wear masks, spray insect repellent, cook quickly, and then exit. They were unable to sleep due to the constant noise.
Ultimately, the tenants contacted the police for assistance.
At the scene, firefighters from Qiaoxi station located the bees' "base": a massive hive situated deep under the kitchen cabinet, firmly attached to the wooden surface and floor. Firefighter Song Dacheng donned full protective gear and knelt to work in the confined space. The moment his tools made contact, the disturbed bees swarmed out, attacking and completely covering his protective mask.
Each section of the hive removed contained abundant honey, which spilled onto the wooden floor, mixing with insect remains. After nearly two hours of effort, the 10 kg hive was completely removed. The tenants then spent an additional two hours using hot water and soap to scrub the sticky honey from the floor.
Song Dacheng stated he had dealt with numerous beehive removals, but this was his first time encountering a hive of this size concealed within an apartment kitchen cabinet.
"When the weather turns cold, bees tend to seek warm, sheltered places. An apartment kitchen provides an ideal refuge. With sufficient numbers, they can construct a very large hive within a single week", Song explained.
Authorities advise that even in high-rise buildings, gaps between cabinets, balcony corners, or air conditioner condensers remain preferred nesting locations for bees. If a hive is discovered, residents should never attempt to remove it themselves to avoid agitating the colony; instead, they should contact emergency services.
Bao Nhien (According to Guangming)
