Bee Emergency in Ontario: Thousands of Angry Bees Swarm Road
Imagine this: an early morning call for help due to a bee invasion! That’s exactly what happened to Terri Faloney, a beekeeper in Hamilton, Ontario. The situation unfolded around 8 a.m. on a Wednesday when her mother informed her about a startling report on TV. It turned out that five million upset bees had escaped from their wooden boxes, fallen off a trailer, and were swarming a road in nearby Burlington.
The urgency was clear – her mother shared that “there’s a bee emergency” and that all available beekeepers were needed. Meanwhile, Mike Barber, a beekeeper in Guelph, Ontario, was also alerted, receiving numerous calls from a local police officer while trying to soothe his 8-year-old son back to sleep.
The news spread like wildfire on social media and through news outlets. People learned about the massive bee swarm hovering over a road close to Toronto. Authorities warned pedestrians to stay away, and both residents and motorists were advised to keep their windows shut to avoid the buzzing bees.
Beekeepers like Mike Barber and Terri Faloney knew they were facing a serious task. They joined forces with many others who united through online posts and news stories. Mr. Barber, the owner of Tri-City Bee Rescue, a company that relocates unwanted bee swarms, quickly suited up and headed to the scene. Ms. Faloney, the owner of Hammer Hives, brought bee smokers – devices that release smoke to calm down agitated bees.
Upon arrival, Mr. Barber found the situation both dangerous and oddly amusing. He described the scene: beekeepers in full protective suits, while others kept a safe distance, including the police and first responders. Constable Ryan Anderson of the Halton Regional Police praised the beekeepers for their quick response and expertise in handling the unique situation.
The cause of the bee frenzy? Tristan Jameson, a commercial beekeeper, was transporting the bees on a trailer when he had to swerve to avoid an obstacle. This sudden movement caused the hives to topple, resulting in the bees becoming disoriented. In a twist of fate, the bees embarked on what’s known as an “orientation flight” to find their way back to their hives.
Constable Anderson shared that the first beekeeper on the scene was stung more than 60 times while attempting to gather the bees. Luckily, the beekeeper received prompt medical attention and appeared to be okay.
The beekeepers worked tirelessly to restore order. They repaired the damaged boxes, providing the bees with visual cues to return to their hives. What once looked like a swarm of millions gradually calmed down to around 5,000 bees – a significant improvement.
Ms. Faloney also played her part, collecting stray bees settling on cars and “rogue queens” that were on the ground. Eventually, with most of the bees back in their hives, Mr. Jameson managed to transport them away on his trailer.
As the situation settled, Terri Faloney reflected on the remarkable teamwork among beekeepers. She marveled at how everyone came together quickly, some traveling short distances, while others drove for hours. Mike Barber added a touch of humor, saying, “We all swarmed to help – bee pun intended.”
In the end, this bee-filled adventure highlighted the dedication of beekeepers and the importance of community support during unexpected crises.
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