photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 12,000-15,000 swarming honeybees forced the temporary closure of Ridgewood, New Jersey’s main business thoroughfare on Monday afternoon, 05/08. A Starbucks patron telephoned Ridgewood Police to report the potentially dangerous situation. Police officers who arrived on the scene then contacted local beekeeper Frank Mortimer, who responded to the location and recommended the swarm be removed from its perch 30 feet up a tree. A tower ladder truck from Ridgewood Fire Department was dispatched to safely hoist beekeeper Mortimer up to the swarm. Although he was able to remove all of the bees within about 30 minutes, an unprotected firefighter who accompanied him had to retreat from the tower ladder after being stung over a dozen times. Mortimer’s wife Sophie and his daughter Svea also responded to the location. They both assisted him once the bees were safely contained. Reportedly, Mortimer planned on relocating the 12,000-15,000 bees to a secure location in Glen Rock. Ridgewood Police patrol officers provided traffic control during the incident.
Continue reading Local Beekeeper to the Rescue after Honeybee Swarm Shuts Down Parts of Ridgewood’s Central Business District