250 million bees escape after semi-truck overturns in Washington State: Dont go anywhere near them

Published: Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:33 am

250 Million Bees Unleashed in Washington State After Truck Overturns

A swarm of approximately 250 million honeybees escaped into the wild in Whatcom County, Washington, after a semi-truck carrying bee hives overturned early Friday morning. The incident, which occurred just north of Seattle near the Canadian border, prompted local authorities to issue a warning urging residents to stay at least 200 yards away from the area.

The truck was transporting 70,000 pounds of honeybee hives to South Dakota after the bees had pollinated a local blueberry field. Emergency crews, including over two dozen beekeepers, were called in to help contain the situation. Beekeepers worked to collect the hives and restack them, aiming to salvage as many bees as possible.

Deputy Director of Emergency Management for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, Matt Klein, was stung a dozen times while on the scene. Despite the stings, officials emphasized that honeybee stings are generally less severe than those from other types of bees. Journalists covering the incident also reported being stung, even at a distance.

By Friday night, on-scene work was completed, with hive boxes recovered and restored. Authorities anticipate that most bees would return to their hives overnight. While the incident poses no general health risk to the public, local beekeepers anticipate some losses, and the bees are expected to swarm and establish new hives in the area. The incident highlights the importance of bees in the region, which is home to Bee City USA and plays a crucial role in the county's berry industry.

Keywords: bees, Washington, Whatcom County, semi-truck, overturned, honeybees, escaped, swarm, beekeepers, stings, emergency, pollination, Bee City USA, Seattle, Canadian border, blueberry field, South Dakota, bee hives, incident, rural, alert, danger, safety

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