Cape Coral Firefighter and Paramedic Turns Beekeeper and Entrepreneur
Matt Anderson, a Cape Coral firefighter and paramedic, has found a unique passion outside of his emergency response duties – beekeeping. Anderson, a Bookelia resident and outdoor enthusiast, has turned his fascination with pollinators into a thriving business called Anderson Bee Removal.
With his first hive, Anderson’s interest in bees blossomed, leading him to become licensed and insured in bee removal. He now operates his bee removal services during his time off from the fire station, dedicating his 48-hour shifts to helping residents remove and rehome bees that are causing a buzz.
Anderson’s love for beekeeping extends to spinning honey and sharing the experience with his children. Despite facing challenges like Hurricane Ian destroying his hives, Anderson remains dedicated to rebuilding and expanding his beekeeping operation.
“I try to keep usually around 10 hives,” Anderson shared. “Sometimes I will give bees away, and sometimes I will release them in areas of large acreage where I can rehome them safely.”
As the beekeeping season in South Florida ramps up, Anderson is busy responding to calls from residents dealing with unwanted bee infestations. From stilt homes to crawl spaces, bees are finding their way into vulnerable spots in houses, prompting the need for removal.
“People love bees, but don’t love being attacked by bees,” Anderson explained. “Bees like small tight spaces. If they can get in any sort of vulnerable spot on the house, they will. Once they start, they get to work pretty quick. You don’t want your whole wall in your house with a beehive and honey.”
Anderson’s bee removal service not only addresses the immediate threat of bee infestations but also focuses on rehoming the bees in safe locations. With a commitment to community safety and environmental conservation, Anderson’s unique business venture continues to make a positive impact in Cape Coral and beyond.