WALWORTH COUNTY, Wis. — Thousands of bees found at vacant Northridge Mall in Milwaukee have a new home in Walworth County, where they will continue producing honey.

Work crews, while preparing for the demolition of Northridge Mall, discovered the bee hives. Upon discovery, planning began to transfer the bees somewhere safe.

Before the sun rose on Friday, Nazim Agushi of Balestrieri Environmental delivered the bees to a farm in Walworth County. 

“I did use a bit of smoke to make sure the bees calmed down and everything else, and I just got their queen,” Agushi said. “It’s no good for the bees to be in that area anymore. This is why we decided to bring them to the farm, which was perfect.”

Mary Anne Polk will be the beekeeper in charge of these bees. She said she is excited to have and help them.

“One of the things that’s critical for bees is to make sure they have enough honey through the winter, which is about 75 pounds per bee colony,” Polk said.

She said she is passionate about preserving the bee population.

“Fifty percent of our food, if not more, is dependent on pollination, so pollinating fruit trees, pollinating flowers," Polk said. "Honey is medicinal so it helps people with allergies, sore throats, stomach problems. It’s great for wound healing. It’s also great for endurance.”

Agushi said working with bees is something he learned a long time ago.

“I’m talking about 25 years ago, back in Kosovo," Agushi said. "I did that quite a bit with my dad when I was young, and then he taught me how to do that stuff, like saving the bees and finding the bees in the trees.”

Agushi said it brings him peace knowing the bees will not be harmed as a part of the Northridge Mall demolition.