Five Million Bees Spill Out in Burlington, Ontario

Beekeeper Luc Peters says he’s faced “sticky” situations before, but Wednesday morning marked the first time he got a call from police about a bee-related issue.

Peters was among several local beekeepers who responded after roughly five million bees fell off a truck on Guelph Line in Burlington, just north of Dundas Street.

Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) reported that officers arrived at the scene around 6:15 a. m. to address a truck carrying bees.

“We’re not sure how or what exactly took place, but at some point, the boxes containing bees or beehives slid off the trailer and spilled all over the road,” Ryan Anderson, media relations officer with HRPS told .

Several local beekeepers were called in to help after some five million bees fell off a truck on Guelph Line in Burlington, north of Dundas Street. (Submitted by Luc Peters)

While police confirmed that the area was cleared by early afternoon, they advised drivers and nearby residents to keep their windows closed.

“It sounds bigger than it is for the most part because a colony of bees could be 80,000 bees,” said Peters, who manages nearly 400,000 bees at nearby Royal Botanical Gardens.

“It really depends on how many colonies there are and no doubt to someone who’s not familiar with bees that would seem pretty intense.. It’s important for people to know that honey bees are generally gentle and don’t bother folks unless provoked. This is an unusual situation where it’s best to keep your distance from them.”

WATCH | Five million bees swarm Burlington, Ont., neighbourhood:

Beekeeper backup arrives after 5 million bees fall off truck

A truck transporting honey bees swerved while driving through Burlington, Ont., releasing five million bees into a residential area. Beekeepers from around came quickly to assist in rounding up the swarming insects.

Police mentioned that beekeepers were brought in “to help get the situation under control,” noting that some had been stung-though no one required hospitalization according to Anderson.

Peters remarked that getting stung is just part of being a beekeeper. “I’m not really fazed by it,” he stated; however, he described this incident as an “unusual case,” since normally such a large number of bees would stay inside their boxes.

Beekeeper Terri Faloney uses her hand to remove bees from a car. (Carlos Osorio/The Canadian Press)

Peters spoke with CBC Hamilton while heading toward the scene earlier Wednesday morning, saying his aim would be to locate the queen bee and get her into a box. “The rest of the bees will follow,” he explained.

Police expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming response from beekeepers” who helped clear up the area and announced that one driver faced charges for two offenses under the Highway Traffic Act related to an insecure load.

Peters speculated that these bees might have been returning from providing pollination services-where farmers hire beekeepers for crop pollination.

‘They’re having a worse day than any of us,’ Peters commented regarding the plight of the bees.

Shortly after 9 a. m., police said almost everything was cleared up. (Ken Townsend/CBC)

Thousands of Bees Likely Perished

Peters estimated that “a few thousand bees” likely died due to this spill; however, it might take some time before total losses are assessed.

Meanwhile, Anderson mentioned there will still be flying bees in the vicinity over the next few days.

“We’re going to leave behind some crates. Some of these escaped ones should naturally return here, and we’ll come back later once they’ve returned,” he added.

“So if any locals notice crates still around , we ask them not approach or touch these. It’s safe enough for drivers as long as their windows stay rolled up , but let’s give those crates space so hopefully , they’ll find their way home.”

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