New Jersey Homeowner's Honeybee Nightmare Solved by One Determined EcoShield Technician

Sometimes, a pest control visit involves nothing more than a routine inspection and some preventative treatment. But occasionally, a technician encounters a situation that requires far more than just tools and training. That’s exactly what happened when Camilo Utset, a new branch service professional (BSP) from EcoShield Pest Solutions, arrived in Teaneck, New Jersey for what was supposed to be a standard service call.

“I showed up expected to do a 4-point inspection that goes over the entire property—attic, basement, living spaces, and the exterior from fence line to fence line,” Camilo said. But when he arrived, he was immediately greeted by the homeowner. “I asked about their concerns,” he recalled, “and [the homeowner] said, ‘We’ve got bees.’ Right away, I let him know we could help with that.”

However, the homeowners then clarified that they are, in fact, honeybees—a species protected in New Jersey. How was he going to resolve this?

That’s when the tone of the visit shifted. Rather than walking away, Camilo immediately began problem-solving to help the family find a solution.

“This was a family stuck in a difficult situation with no clear way out. They’d tried multiple options, but none of them worked, or the solutions were just too expensive. You could feel the stress they were carrying,” said Camilo.

What happened next wasn’t part of the official job description, but it reflected the EcoShield mindset.

“It became my mission to help them, even if it meant stepping outside the traditional role.”

Camilo began reaching out to every contact he could think of. He called the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, local hobbyists, professional removers, and even out-of-town specialists. After dozens of calls, he finally connected with a beekeeper who was able to take on the job.

“But there was a catch,” he explained. “The beekeeper would not be able to open up or repair the drywall after removing the hive.”

Camilo picked up the phone again, this time searching for a handyman who could safely work around bees and repair the wall. Many services were fully booked or out of the homeowner's budget.

“But after more digging," Camilo explains, "I finally found someone willing to show up, suit up in bee gear, and work with the beekeeper to safely open the wall.”

The next day, Mike from Miller Family Beekeepers and Victor from The Patch Boys worked together to remove the wall and carefully smoke the hive to calm the bees.

What they found inside was nothing short of shocking.

“Once the bees settled, they cut open the wall and discovered a hive that was over 3.5 feet wide and nearly 5 feet long — it had been there for 4 to 5 years!” Camilo reports.

After the hive was safely removed, Camilo stayed to help finish the job. “We didn’t just stop there,” he said. “I went in with the team and made sure we treated both the interior and exterior thoroughly. We also sealed up any possible entry points, so the home would be fully protected going forward.”

For the homeowners, it was a major relief.

“They told me this had been haunting them for years, and now it was finally resolved,” Camilo said. “In that moment, I felt proud that I didn’t stop at, ‘Sorry, we don’t do that.’ Proud that I treated their home like it was my own — or like it was my parents’ home. That’s always my standard.”

EcoShield couldn’t have done it without the help of their local experts. A big thank-you to The Patch Boys and to Miller Family Beekeepers for their generous support in fulfilling the EcoShield promise: to leave each home better than you found it.

At EcoShield, this kind of care isn’t the exception. It’s the goal. Every technician is trained to deliver more than a service. They deliver peace of mind.

To schedule a free home inspection or ask about our services, call 888-744-1284 or visit www.ecoshieldpest.com.