Army officials relocate bees during demolition at LCAAP

LAKE CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT, Mo. -- Army officials at Lake City take the preservation of honey bees seriously.

Lake City Army Ammunition Plant has many pests onsite that are treated and/or removed annually, but the discovery of honey bees in a building being demolished are not looked at as pests.

"We realize that even though these little guys are tiny, they play a big role in making our food," explained Sara Clark, LCAAP environmental coordinator. "Because of their specific role, as well as the need for worker safety, anytime a honey beehive is found on the installation, we call Steven Decaigney."

Decaigney is a local devoted beekeeper who has maintained his own bee colonies for more than nine years.

During a recent demo project, workers discovered an active beehive. Decaigney was called and removed the hive without a hitch. Removing the thirteen-pound hive permitted LCAAP to safely relocate an estimated 52,000 bees.

"We're lucky that Steven is willing to use his beekeeping skills to help us," said Lt. Col. Dana Crow, LCAAP commander. "He quickly and safely removed the hive and helped preserve the bee population."