The 60,000 to 70,000 honey bees living in the maple tree sounded like an "enormous droning insect" to mother Crystal Parker, so she contacted Toby Sewell of J&T Beekeepers.
"Saying there were a lot of bees would be an understatement," Crystal Parker told MLive.
After inspecting the problem, Sewell found that the bees have almost devoured the inside of the tree. In order to get rid of the bees, Sewell plans to build a replica beehive and fill it with lemon grass and honey scents to attract the swarm.
The hope is that the bees will filter into their new home and then be relocated to a safer location. If the process, which could take up to 45 days is successful, Sewell may keep the insects as they could be worth about $600 to $700.
"As long as you don't bother the bees, they shouldn't bother you," Sewell said.
