Millions of Honeybees Escape After Semitrailer Tipping in Texas Neighborhood
Orange County, TX, Sunday morning – A semitrailer transporting approximately 400 hives tipped over, releasing millions of honeybees into a rural neighborhood.
Emergency officials closed local roads and advised residents to remain indoors as crews worked to unload the trailer and salvage the hives. No bee stings or serious injuries were reported. The owner of the hives has not been identified.
Local beekeepers, including Christie Ray from Queen Bee Supply, mobilized to assist with the recovery efforts. “They just help each other, that’s what they do,” Ray stated, highlighting the supportive nature of the beekeeping community.
Chris Moore, owner of Moore Honey, also participated in the efforts but estimated that only about 25% of the 408 hives would survive, largely depending on the fate of the queen bees. He noted the significant financial implications of such losses for beekeeping operations.
Typically, large-scale beekeeping operations transport hives for commercial pollination and honey production across the U.S. The hives involved in the incident were en route to North Dakota when the driver mistakenly took a wrong turn, leading to the crash.
Local beekeepers have set up catch boxes to collect any stray bees. Recovery may take time, according to Moore.
In April, a similar incident near Knoxville, TN, involving a truck full of bees disrupted interstate traffic.