Spring has sprung and bees are buzzing. Brighton Illinois beekeeper Gene Reilley spends a lot of time hunting for swarms of bees. This week he scooped up 25 thousand bees from the 5th grade classroom at Delhi Elementary school in Jersey County.

Students weren't frightened. One said, "Cool very cool." Another, "There was a lot of bees."

Students were removed from the classroom when the bees moved inside through a crack in the wall which has since been sealed. No children were hurt.

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Bee Keeper


Principal Michelle Brown said, "They were more intrigued by it than scared by it."

Educators did not want to use pesticides around the kids so they called in Reilley.

He does get stung, a lot, including at the school and right on his face. Reilley said, "It doesn't bother me accept around the eye it looks like somebody beat the hell out of me."

For the students it was a learning experience.

Student Ian Patton said, "I cant believe they can suck honey out of flowers and all that that's my favorite part about bees."

Reilley is retired and he enjoys his beekeeping hobby. "It's something different and it keeps you busy."

The kids like it too.

Patton said, "They were really awesome."