Del. Police "Bee Removal Plan" In Effect After Truck Full Of Bees Overturns
By Jan Carabeo
NEWARK, Del. (CBS) – Drivers beware.
Honey bees are all of the buzz along I-95 in Newark.
So much so, DelDOT is warning drivers to keep the windows up in order to keep the swarms out.
Paul Dill, a beekeeper says, "First time I've seen bees splattered all over the highway."
Dill was one of the first beekeepers on scene last night after this flatbed trailer loaded with up to 20 million live bees overturned.
This accident happened on the Delaware 896-North ramp that goes to I-95 North.
"They've been traumatized."
As the bees stung first responders, beekeepers arrived as part of Delaware State Police's official "Honey Bee Swarm Removal Plan."
Police can't say why it originated, but the plan has been in place for 14 years and just recently updated in March.
It was the first time ever used, and today crews finished cleaning up.
Mike Wham, a beekeeper says, "It's kind of disheartening to see that many bees killed."
Local beekeepers couldn't stay away. A team worked overnight to save as many as possible before this foam arrived.
Others came throughout the day to see what was left.
Bees are big business.
John Faurerbach says, "If I get the queen, they'll all follow in. I've got some queen scent maybe that will attract them."
The truck was en route from Florida to Maine. The bees were meant to pollinate blueberries there.
CBS 3 is told the bees that were saved were sent to southern New Jersey, until the company can decide what to do.
At this point, it's undetermined the monetary loss here.
The bees remaining out here will just die off.