Quarter Billion Honeybees Create Buzz After Truck Overturns in Washington State
Approximately 250 million honeybees caused quite a stir in northwestern Washington state after a commercial truck transporting their hives overturned. The vehicle, carrying an estimated 31,751 kilograms of honeybee hives, rolled over near the Canadian border. Emergency services and beekeepers were called to manage the unusual situation, which saw a massive cloud of bees temporarily take over the area, creating a memorable and "buzzworthy" incident.
Unpacked:
Large numbers of honeybees are often transported by truck for agricultural pollination. Commercial beekeepers move hives to support crop pollination—especially in regions or seasons where natural bee populations are insufficient to meet farmers’ needs.
No human injuries were reported, but the sudden release of millions of bees posed risks of stings to bystanders and emergency workers. Large bee releases can also disrupt local ecosystems and threaten native bee populations if not properly managed.
Yes, commercial bee transporters are exempt from some hours-of-service rules to protect bee health, as bees require cool, fresh air and cannot tolerate long stops in warm weather. These exemptions help prevent harm to the bees during transit.
After a crash, beekeepers and emergency services try to recover as many bees and hives as possible. However, many bees may be lost or die, and the hives are often damaged beyond repair. Surviving bees may scatter or attempt to form new colonies nearby.