BEES & OTHER LITTLE CRITTERS (people) . . .

I read sometime recently about a woman who purchased a home, moved in, got settled, then noticed a dripping brown goo running down her walls.

This, my friends, is the result of exterminating a hive of bees who have set up residence in your walls or roof.  The bees die (or go away), the hive remains and begins to disintegrate.  All that honey has to go somewhere -- so, it begins to seep through the walls, dripping down to the floor (or furniture) below.  Eventually the dead bees, the rotting hive, and the honey will begin to smell.  

The scenario I describe is now happening to me!?!?!  A hive of bees, entry point right above the patio, which we had exterminated (this, I'm told, is the way -- no way to relocate the bees; they're too happy with this spot).  So, the bee man came and sprayed. His evaluation: the hive is not too big; not enough bees swarming around, not to worry. Well, that was wrong.  The hive is disintegrating and one day I saw a spot and, thinking it was a bug, took tissue to pick it up -- sticky!  Looked up -- two large drips coming from a seam in the ceiling. No smell yet, but not going to even let this get to that point.  

Ahh, home ownership and its challenges.  Call bee man; he will open my wall and remove the hive tomorrow, spray the area with a light bleach to eliminate residual pheromone odor (which will attract them back), replace insulation, seal their entry CLOSED. Then, in comes the contractor to repair the hole in the drywall.  

As happy as we are with this decision -- Fallbrook, an acre of land, smaller home, fruit trees, it comes with a price. That price -- property management and maintenance.  We've always done it, nothing new; just a different kind of maintenance than we experienced in Salt Lake.  

Oh, well -- we could be shoveling snow.  Looking for the good here.  

Yesterday was a home maintenance day, with a break in the afternoon to sub 2 classes for a fellow ill instructor. Kids classes. I now know my limitations -- kids classes are not my 'cup of tea'.  Nice kids in attendance, but I had not a clue what to do with them to keep them interested and motivated.  Well, they got a class, no one got hurt, they did move.  I am sure they'll be happy to have their regular instructor back next week.  

Today?  Two classes -- one in Carlsbad this morning, 10:30am; second one in Temecula at 4pm. Adults.

Hope you have a great Thursday,