This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-44599758

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bee swarm invades post box in St Day, Redruth Bee swarm invades post box in St Day, Redruth
(35 minutes later)
A 20,000-strong swarm of bees caused uproar when they chose to nest in a village post box.A 20,000-strong swarm of bees caused uproar when they chose to nest in a village post box.
The colony had to be removed after people reported being "afraid of posting letters" to the sub-post office in St Day, Cornwall, on Friday. The colony had to be removed after people reported being "afraid of posting letters" in St Day, Cornwall, on Friday.
Bee keeper Rodney Harris, 75, was stung slightly as he flushed them out on Saturday using sugary water, lemon grass and almond oil. Beekeeper Rodney Harris, 75, was stung slightly as he flushed them out on Saturday using sugary water, lemon grass and almond oil.
He said they had become "territorial" but had not yet laid wax or eggs.He said they had become "territorial" but had not yet laid wax or eggs.
More Cornwall storiesMore Cornwall stories
Mr Harris, who keeps 18 colonies in his garden, said: "If you don't shift them quick it's amazing how much work they can do.Mr Harris, who keeps 18 colonies in his garden, said: "If you don't shift them quick it's amazing how much work they can do.
"Humans aren't in it - we are a bunch of thickheads compared to bees. They were starting to become territorial and anyone who goes in their flight path would get it.""Humans aren't in it - we are a bunch of thickheads compared to bees. They were starting to become territorial and anyone who goes in their flight path would get it."
You may also like/be interested in:You may also like/be interested in:
Mr Harris, a retired miner and engineer, said he was stung when he used sugary water and lemon grass to entice the bees into a box and artificial almond oil to drive them out, before taking them home.Mr Harris, a retired miner and engineer, said he was stung when he used sugary water and lemon grass to entice the bees into a box and artificial almond oil to drive them out, before taking them home.
Geoff Nankivell, sub-postmaster at St Day, said it was a first for the village and no-one had reported being hurt. Geoff Nankivell, sub-postmaster at St Day, said it was a first for the village.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "No one was stung or hurt and there were no delays to our service... We closely monitor these situations which are extremely rare."
Source: The British Beekeepers AssociationSource: The British Beekeepers Association