LADUE, Mo. – The Ladue and Frontenac Police Departments are each investigating after two separate beehives were set on fire in just the past two months.
The most recent incident occurred Sept. 11 around 5 a.m. at the Carmelite Monastery off Clayton Road. Doorbell video from across the street shows an explosion in the distance and smoke billowing from the beehive.
The Ladue Fire Department responded and put the fire out before it could spread, but the hive was destroyed. It appeared the alleged suspect doused the hive with a fire accelerant—possibly gasoline—before setting it ablaze.
Neighbor Amanda Holman was stunned to find out what happened.
“It was somewhat of an explosion,” Holman explained. “Somebody definitely didn’t want these bees here anymore.”
She lives close to the monastery and knows the beekeeper, and she says he is devastated by what happened. The beekeeper, who spoke to FOX 2 but did not want to be identified, had an agreement with the monastery that he could use the space. He underscored how unnecessary setting the hive on fire was and emphasized how critical bees are to our ecosystem.
Other neighbors also don’t understand why someone would do this, according to Holman.
“They’re honeybees! They’re critical to our existence. It’s a shame. But I hope whoever did this either learns their lesson or gets caught,” she said.
Facilities manager Bill Bench helped the beekeeper with the operation. He said he couldn’t believe the news himself and encourages whoever did this not to try it again.
“Who are they hurting? I mean, they’re honeybees,” Bench said. “And who doesn’t like honey?”
The hive was also targeted back on Aug. 8. The Frontenac Police Department confirmed they are also investigating a similar incident after someone set a beehive on fire at a private residence in Crystal Lake Park. That incident occurred on July 1.
The department cannot rule out the two arsons being connected.
Bench said Wednesday’s incident has forced the monastery to invest in additional surveillance cameras as well as a new gate. That also means the property, which is open to the public, will now be closed off in the evenings.
Bench said on the bright side, a generous parishioner has offered to pay to replace the equipment and the cost of the entire hive.
“That is huge, because it is not cheap to start from scratch with these beehives. It’s well over $2,000-$3,000 easy, just to start,” Bench said.
Holman said the ordeal won’t stop this local beekeeper from doing what he loves.
“This is a big disappointment, but I will tell you this: he’s not going to let this stop him,” she said.
Ladue and Frontenac police are still investigating each incident. Anyone with information about either case is encouraged to call police right away.