As a person with a series bee allergy, the news earlier this week that an 18-wheeler carrying approximately 20 million bees overturned on I-95 in Delaware, spilling the little stingers everywhere, was pretty terrifying.

"Whew, thank goodness it's so far away!" I thought, as I googled "how far can bees fly?" (Turns out to be only about 80 miles, FYI.)

But then, later in the day yesterday, I came across this story about a swarm in Williamsburg. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Only a few miles from where I live. 

"What the hell!? Is this normal? Should I stay inside all summer? Should I get those desensitization shots after all?" 

The story mentions "Tony Bees," the NYPD's resident bee guy. He's a police detective, but he also happens to keep bees, at hives in Connecticut and Queens. Sometimes, when there's a swarm, the NYPD calls in Tony Bees and he vacuums them up (yes, literally) and takes them to his own hives, or someone else's, far away.

After the terror of looking at a picture man calmly leaning over a swarming pile of thousands of bees subsided, I did a little bit of research, and learned why bees swarm. You know how after this long, gross winter we feel like our apartments are too small and we kind of want to get away from our roommates and significant others? Bees feel that way too. Except they've literally been multiplying all winter, and now their hives are bursting and it's time for some to go. 

Technically, what happens is that there are so many bees in there, some can't even smell the queen's pheromones anymore, so they elect a new queen, and a whole group takes off with her in search of a new, roomier hive. Maybe in Bushwick, with a dishwasher! 

Anyway, that's why during the summer we occasionally see massive swarms of evil-looking and -sounding insects. They are busy when they're swarming, following the queen around and going off to scout for a new hive, so they aren't super dangerous, unless you mess with them. Or unless you've seen "My Girl" and are convinced you're doomed regardless of what anyone says.

I had some more questions, so I reached out to Tony Bees himself. Here's what he had to say about avoiding getting stung:



Lovely!

But in all seriousness, Tony is a friendly guy, and very willing to answer your bee questions. You can email him at tonybees3006@hotmail.com.