250 million bees escape after semi-truck overturns in Washington State: ‘Don’t go anywhere near them’

NY Post ^ | 5-31-25 | Jacki Thrapp

[dynachrome]

“Bee” on alert.

Roughly 250 million bees escaped into the wild when a commercial semi-truck rolled over in Washington state, prompting officials to warn locals to stay away from the area.

The truck was hauling 70,000 pounds of honey bee hives when it overturned in a rural part of Whatcom County, just north of Seattle near the Canadian border, around 4 a.m. Friday, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

[dynachrome]

"Residents were urged to avoid the area and keep their distance by at least 200 yards."

200 yards is way too close.

[tlozo]

Journalists covering the unexpected incident were even targeted and stung by bees on the scene.

KOMO reporter Denise Whitaker revealed that she was stung by one of the many “aggressive” insects, even though she was approximately 300 yards from the truck.

[Magnum44]

It’s a sticky situation….

[Dacula]

I would be setting up Nucs and searching for the queens.

[enumerated]

Look out for bears - they love honey.

[ClearCase_guy]

[Samurai_Jack]

shipment for Wile E. Coyote

[Samurai_Jack]

Shipment:
ACME Bees
to Wile E. Coyote

[SGCOS]

Thanks goodness it wasn’t C’s or D’s.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Residents were urged to avoid the area and keep their distance by at least 200 yards.”

Um, I’m not an Entomologist but I’m PRETTY SURE that bees can fly!

[JBW1949]

And fly quick and fast.....LOL

[Bratch]

[albie]

I read that bees can fly up to 20 mph. I’d stay 500+ yards away and continue to distance myself

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I think all the Socialists in Washington State should head for Canada, permanently.

I mean, just to ‘bee’ safe! *SMIRK*

[goodnesswins]

I heard this on news yesterday, and when they said 200 yatds I thought, how about a mile? sheesh.

[redshawk]

It could be worse. Could have been the ‘killer hornets’.

[lee martell]

Michelle O. asks: “Is that truly the best way we can describe 25 Million individuals? Labeling them all with the ‘B” word? Really?”

[Libloather]

Who makes sure the count is accurate?

[Bob434]

Oh great, we’ll never find em all! Lol

[xp38]

I thought they were called Murder Hornets but yeah it could have been worse.