HITCHCOCK, Texas — For Jimmy Johnson, home hasn’t felt like home for decades. For more than 30 years, the 69-year-old Hitchcock resident has been battling an unexpected intruder — bees.
What began as a small nuisance has grown into a full-blown infestation, with honey dripping from the walls and swarms so large Johnson believes they number in the millions.
A Hive Inside the House
Johnson has lived in his home for 35 years, but says the last 20 have been the worst. He believes the bees originally came from honeycombs left behind by the previous owners. Instead of leaving, they built a massive hive that now fills a cavity inside the home — more than 20 feet wide and nine feet high.
“The honey has saturated the material, and it’s started to decay,” he said, describing the damage that has slowly spread through his walls.
Daily Life Under Attack
Simple daily chores have become dangerous. Johnson, who walks with a cane, says he has been stung on his face and neck, chased down the street, and knocked over several times. Even meals are a challenge.
“Sometimes I have to finish eating and washing dishes before the sun goes down, because if I turn on the light after dark, it attracts them inside,” he explained.
The Cost of Fighting Bees
Over the years, Johnson has spent more than $25,000 trying to fight the infestation. He says he spends about $60 a month on sprays just to keep the bees somewhat under control. “That’s no way to live,” he admitted.
Video he shared shows honey oozing down his walls, leaving stains across the interior. At one point, he is seen spraying another bee that had made its way inside.
Too Big for Pest Control
Johnson says professional pest control companies have turned him away, telling him the problem is simply too large to handle. Even if a company could take on the job, the cost would be far beyond what he can afford on his fixed income.
A Plea for Help
Despite the struggles, Johnson hasn’t given up hope. “Yes ma’am I do, I do want my home back,” he said. “Help, if you can… please.”
For Jimmy Johnson, what should have been a quiet retirement home has become a dangerous hive of activity. With honey saturating his walls, bees invading his living spaces, and repair costs out of reach, he continues to live in fear inside his own house.
His story is not just about an infestation, but a plea for help — one man hoping to reclaim his home and peace of mind after decades of living alongside millions of bees.
