Beekeeper Removed Large Hive From UL Lafayette Campus
A colony of approximately 65,000 honeybees was relocated from a campus tree to a new site in Judice.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Should local institutions prioritize relocating wild hives rather than disposing of them?
A 15-pound honeybee hive containing 65,000 bees was removed from a camellia tree on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. The colony, discovered between Foster and Girard halls, was relocated to Judice to ensure the preservation of the pollinator population.
Why it matters
The relocation serves to protect the bees after a managed colony outgrew its previous home and established an open-air hive on campus. An extended period without rain earlier this summer allowed the insects to construct the structure in the tree.
The removed hive consisted of an estimated 65,000 bees and weighed nearly 15 pounds. The colony had been under construction since June 2026.
The players
Rachael Clayton
She is the owner of Sunshine and Clay Hives in Crowley and holds 10 years of professional beekeeping experience.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
It is a public research university that maintains campus grounds and coordinates environmental risk management.
The details
Beekeeper Rachael Clayton performed the removal of the open-air hive after it was discovered in early September. The university executive director of institutional risk and assessment authorized the operation to maintain environmental health on campus.
Timeline
The bee swarm began building the hive in June 2026.
The hive was discovered on campus in early September 2026.
Deeper Dive
The university's decision to relocate rather than exterminate the bees follows established best practices for supporting pollinator health that were popularized after the 2006 Colony Collapse Disorder investigations.
The relocation ensures that students and staff can safely navigate the area near Foster and Girard halls without encountering a large insect swarm. This proactive management maintains local pollinator populations which are essential for the surrounding regional flora.
The takeaway
Bees often establish colonies in unusual locations when they outgrow their managed hives, making public awareness vital for human safety. Contacting professional beekeepers for relocations instead of pest control services helps protect beneficial pollinator species.
Further reading
For more on efforts to maintain local ecosystems, see Environmental research initiatives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
Live Poll
Should local institutions prioritize relocating wild hives rather than disposing of them?
