South Bay Beekeeper Gets The Boot Despite Free City Services

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA -- A beekeeper who has provided free services to the city of Manhattan Beach was recently notified she'll be replaced by a company. Susan Rudnicki told The Daily Breeze the city has opted to hire ABBA Termite and Pest Control to remove unwanted bees and insects, rather than recruit the free services of Rudnicki.

Rudnicki's deal was informal, but she "provided bee hive removal services for the city at no charge in exchange for allowing her to use a small portion of the yard" for six years, the Daily Breeze reported.

"Whenever there was a swarm of bees on the green belt or at a city park or field, Rudnicki would come to the rescue. The events would often turn into free mini beekeeping lessons as Rudnicki spoke to passers-by," the newspaper wrote.

In just one year, Rudnicki removed 59 colonies in the city, the Daily Breeze said.

Stephanie Katsouleas, Manhattan Beach's public works director, told the Daily Breeze the city needed a company to handle all unwanted insects.

Read the full story here.

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