A family's TikTok video went viral after revealing their toddler's fear of a "monster" in the bedroom walls was actually a colony of over 50,000 bees.
The mother, Ashley Class, shared on TikTok that her daughter believed there were monsters in their more than 100-year-old house in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 3-year-old, inspired by the movie "Monsters Inc.," was convinced about the creatures in the wall, even being given "monster spray" to protect herself at night, as Class told BBC News.
After noticing bees near the attic chimney, Class suspected her daughter might be onto something. Pest control was called, and with the help of a thermal camera commonly used by beekeepers, they confirmed the presence of a bee colony behind the wall.
Class's TikTok video detailing the bee revelation garnered over 9 million views, and she continued to post updates about the bee situation on her @classashley page.
Local Beekeeper Extracts 20,000 Bees and 100 Pounds of Honeycomb
A local beekeeper recently performed extractions to remove a large bee colony, uncovering a staggering 20,000 bees and 100 pounds of honeycomb on the first day of the operation.
"They just came pouring out like a horror movie," the beekeeper shared with BBC News.
Reflecting on the process, the beekeeper emphasized the rapid growth potential of bee colonies, stating in a TikTok video, "it only takes a couple of bees and a hidden swarm to develop into a colony of 50,000 bees."
Additionally, it was revealed that the bees spent eight months crafting the 100 pounds of honeycomb, which was so heavy that it required triple-bagging for removal.
Beekeeper Removes 50,000 Bees from Wall Cavity
Following the initial extraction, the beekeeper and homeowner were surprised by the sheer number of bees present within the wall cavity. Despite indications from a thermal camera showing high activity, the true extent of the infestation was underestimated.
The bees had entered the wall through a small hole in a chimney pipe, making their way into the wall of the homeowner's daughter's room. To access and remove the bees, the beekeeper had to create multiple openings in the wall.
Ultimately, a total of 50,000 bees were safely removed, with special care taken to preserve the queen bee. The bees are set to be relocated to a honeycomb sanctuary, allowing the colony to thrive in a new environment.
After sealing up the holes in the wall, the tape used was no match for the amount of honey the bees produced, allowing more bees to enter the room.
Despite what was expected to be the final extraction, thousands of bees remained, and honey covered the floors of her daughter's room. Class even got stung a few times during the process.
CBS News has attempted to contact Class through social media and is currently awaiting a response.
In a recent TikTok post on Monday, Class mentioned that a third extraction was conducted by the beekeeper in an attempt to eliminate the remaining bees.
The total cost of the extraction process resulted in an estimated $20,000 in damages, which also affected the electric wiring of her home. Class expressed in a TikTok video that her homeowner's insurance does not cover pest-related problems.
However, her daughter now sees the beekeeper as a new hero, referring to them as a "monster hunter."
