Marco Island, FL kill all the bees. (UPDATED)

[Understudy]

http://www.marconews.com/news/2007/sep/26/buzz_bugs_dont_bee_buzzing_wild_insects/

sigh

I wrote the writer. The letter is below.

Hi Peter,

I just read your article "The Buzz on Bugs: Don't bee buzzing with wild insects."

I hold Jerry Hayes in very high respect. I often myself consult with him on beekeeping issues.
I do however disagree with him on one stance. The destruction of feral hives.

I highly encourage calling beekeepers or professional bee removers many of whom would want the bees. Such as Bob Van Der Herchen of Lee County. I agree that feral hives been shown to be AHB  in many  cases. However an aggressive feral hive can be removed. Given a good home and requeened.  Requeening will change a hot hive. I understand residents not wanting bees in their homes. But the destroy all feral hives stance of the Department of Agriculture is not helpful to the bees. Even the nice ones.

Sincerely,
Brendhan Horne

PS. For point of full disclosure. I am vice president of the Palm Beach County Beekeepers. This letter is not endorsed by or the opinion of the PBC Beekeepers.

[Understudy]

The response from Peter Masi:

DEAR BRENHAN,
I MUST ADMIT I AGREE WITH YOU AND I WASN'T UNTIL I READ AN ARTICLE I PICKED UP IN A LOCAL PAPER WHILE IN FT. MYERS. I'M GLAD SOMEONE WILL REMOVE FERAL HIVES. I AM AGAINST KILLING PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THAT'S WHY I CHOOSE "CONTROL' AS THE OPERATIVE WORD IN "PEST CONTROL"! I HATE THE TERM "EXTERMINATOR". IF WE'VE LEARNED ANYTHING IT'S THAT THE ELIMINATION OF ANY ONE SPECIES OF ANIMAL OR INSECT I GOING TO HAVE A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON SOMETHING SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE!
THANKS FOR WRITING......ANYTIME YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, GIVE ME A HOLLER!


PETER