In Galveston County, Texas, a man who battled bees in his home for over 30 years is finally getting some relief — thanks to kind-hearted friends, a nonprofit group, and the power of community support. But even as the buzzing has quieted down, new challenges have emerged for homeowner Jimmy Johnson.
Decades of Swarming Bees Finally Cleared
For years, Johnson couldn’t go about daily life without bees buzzing inside and outside his home. Home repairs were impossible, and even sitting on the porch came with the risk of being stung. But after his friends reached out to KHOU 11, the story caught public attention — and help arrived.
The nonprofit The Bee and Me, along with bee removal expert Carlos Hernandez, stepped in and spent days carefully removing three full bee colonies from inside the walls of Johnson’s house.
“There’s people … they got a heart, a good heart, and care about others … that’s beautiful,” Johnson said emotionally.
Years of Delayed Repairs Catch Up
Although the bees are gone, the damage they caused over time is permanent. Honey seeped deep into the wooden walls, and unlike water, it doesn’t evaporate.
That has left behind sticky, rotting areas in the home’s structure. On top of that, the porch is caving in, and past storm damage has yet to be repaired — largely because contractors were afraid of disturbing the bees.
“I appreciate what you all are doing for me, and the bee people are doing for me, but I need more help,” Johnson said.
One Step at a Time Toward Recovery
With the bees mostly removed, Johnson is trying to focus on home repairs. “Maybe I can try to patch a board here, patch a board there, until I make some progress,” he said.
Hernandez plans to return and finish clearing out the remaining honeycomb. A few bees were intentionally left behind to help clean up the leftover honey naturally. This strategy helps avoid having to tear out more of the home’s siding.
Still, Hernandez warns there’s no full guarantee the bees won’t return.
“Homes have so many cracks and crevices that it’s impossible to completely bee-proof them,” he said. But for now, Johnson can enjoy something he hasn’t in decades — peace and quiet.
A Community Effort, and a New Hope
This effort to clear out the bees came entirely free of charge, thanks to The Bee and Me nonprofit. Now, Johnson is hoping that someone else might step forward to help him rebuild the home he was never able to properly fix — a home he’s lived in for decades.
“Now, I’ll be able to come out and sit down in the yard like a person should be able to do — without the bees,” he said with a smile.
Jimmy Johnson’s story is a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big impact. While he still has a long road ahead in fixing his home, the end of his 30-year bee nightmare has brought a fresh sense of hope. Now, he’s just looking for the next helping hand to get his life — and home — fully back on track.
