Most bee colonies form a single hive centered around the queen, eggs, and larvae. This ensures the population can grow and sustain itself. However, in this case, our team identified a secondary hive — a satellite-like structure with no queen, eggs, or larvae.
Instead of being a breeding ground, this hive was being used as a storage pot for honey and resources. The colony had chosen another location as their main hive, while this pipe became a spillover site.
The biggest challenge with secondary hives is that they are unexpected and easily overlooked. Since they don’t follow the same growth signs as a primary hive, property owners may dismiss them — but they can still pose safety risks. The water pipe location also added complexity, as we needed to remove comb and bees without damaging the infrastructure.
The Clermont property was cleared of active bee presence within a single day. By identifying the hive as a secondary hive, we were able to explain to the property owner how bee colonies sometimes establish multiple sites — and why professional inspection is essential.
The client’s water pipe was restored to normal function, and the area was secured against immediate reinfestation.
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