It’s quite something.
The Parks Department in New York City has left a nervous neighborhood in Queens with quite the dilemma regarding a huge hornets’ nest. They’ve essentially told the concerned residents to foot the bill for a humane removal themselves.
After complaints flooded in from residents, representatives from Councilman Phil Wong’s office contacted the agency once they learned about a massive wasp nest—about the size of two basketballs—hanging ten feet up in a tree at the intersection of Cowles Court and Dry Harbor Road in Middle Village, not far from where a 79-year-old woman lives.
When residents sought help to either exterminate the pests or remove the hive, they were given a rather curt response to “buzz off.”
According to Parks Department employee Camile Easterling, the city won’t intervene with the bald-faced hornets because, apparently, these creatures play a key role in our ecosystem. “Bees and wasps are important for pollination and help keep harmful insect populations in check,” Easterling explained in an email to Wong’s chief of staff that was obtained by The Post.
Easterling further suggested that if relocation was absolutely necessary, the residents should hire a qualified insect relocator. But, just a heads up, she added that getting any work done on a city tree requires a permit, which complicates things further.
The cost of hiring professionals to relocate bee and wasp nests in New York City can range from $200 to $800, according to Angi.com.
In a rather unusual turn, Easterling even recommended that residents should call 911 in case it’s an emergency because the NYPD has a unit specifically for beekeeping.
Wong described the response from the Parks Department as “absurd.”
“It’s crazy that residents have to get permits, hire contractors, and pay from their own pockets to deal with a wasp nest in a city tree, while the alternative seems to be just waiting for someone to get stung,” he remarked. “Parks should take action before someone gets hurt.”
Betty Coccaro, who noticed the nest last week, expressed her astonishment at the city’s priorities, questioning if they were valuing the insects’ health over residents, especially considering some people could have severe allergies to stings.
“Naturally, I’m worried,” said the 79-year-old. “What if the nest falls?”
“I get if it were bees because, you know, honey. But this? You only get stung—and that’s not good.”
Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, who coordinates Cornell University’s Integrated Pest Management program, noted that bald-faced hornets usually build their nests pretty high to avoid contact with people, though she gets why locals are anxious about it.
She also dismissed the Parks Department’s suggestion of relocating the nest, noting that this isn’t effective as it is better suited for exterminators. “You can’t just move a wasp nest,” she explained. “That’s only doable with honeybees since they can be domesticated.”
The Parks Department did not respond to any inquiries.
