‘Buzzing Frenzy’: Millions of Escaped Bees Create a Wild Spectacle

LYNDEN, Wash. — Approximately 15 million bees were released when a delivery truck overturned in Whatcom County. The incident has prompted cleanup crews to act swiftly, culminating in the reopening of previously closed roads, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Beekeepers on-site indicated that many bees might swarm into nearby forests, establishing new colonies or merging with existing ones. Whatcom County adjusted its bee count, reducing the initial estimate from hundreds of millions.

Derek Condit, a beekeeper involved in the cleanup, expressed optimism about the insects’ chances of survival. Factors such as the rural accident site, the current season, and the bees’ observed behavior contribute to this outlook. “Their survival likelihood is high,” he stated.

While some losses are expected due to hive damage, the European honeybees involved are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. “It was pretty amazing,” Condit remarked about the scene. “The heightened state of energy was palpable; you could feel it. It was actually a little more calm.”

The rollover occurred near the Canadian border around 4 a.m. Friday, involving a truck transporting an estimated 70,000 pounds of honeybee hives. Reports suggest that the driver failed to navigate a tight turn effectively, leading to the trailer rolling into a ditch. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed, said county emergency management spokesperson Amy Cloud.

Dr. Katie Buckley, a pollinator health coordinator with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, was called to assist with the aftermath. In an interview with KING 5, Buckley echoed the sentiment of many surviving bees returning to their hives. “Bees are actually surprisingly sturdy,” she noted.

This incident marks Dr. Buckley’s first consultation of this kind, although she pointed out that such accidents are not uncommon. “I usually hear about one or two reports a year,” she said, stressing that transporting millions of bees is a complex and delicate task.

Honeybees are routinely transported across the nation and beyond for crop pollination, illustrating the significance of their role in agriculture.