I agree that it is a heartbreaking shame to see a pretty hive like that killed. It don't bother me too bad because there isn't the remotest possibilility that I could have gotten it. If that had been my neighbor I might be steamed...
But my point was, even if he knew they were honeybees, the posting sounded like he was very surprised at what he found underneath. He thought that it was just a bunch of bees hanging out for some reason only bees know, or even yellowjackets.
I really think that the average person out there doesn't have the foggiest idea of what a beehive consists of, they just live in the little white boxes on farms, not in grills of all places!. Most of the time they are a threat, not a fascinating microcosm of honey producing wonders.
I'm sure that if there is a next time, this fellow will know what they are and stop and think a little more before nuking them.
BHB (before honey bees) I don't think it would have occurred to me that bees would build that in a covered grill. I would probably have done the same thing.
Rick