Roughly 20,000 honey bees descended on Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport yesterday, clustering into a sizable swarm that could have caused chaos. Instead, airport officials say the whole episode was handled smoothly, with the bees quietly collected and carted off without disrupting passengers or flights.
According to FOX 5 DC, BWI staff teamed up with a local beekeeper to safely trap and relocate the swarm. The outlet reports that airport operations continued as usual, and that officials also released photos documenting the removal.
How crews handled the swarm
Airport officials told FOX 5 DC that “the bees were captured and relocated without incident,” crediting a certified beekeeper with carrying out the hands-on work. The insects were gathered into boxes for transport to a new hive site, while crews kept travelers and airport workers at a safe distance until the cluster was removed.
Why swarms form and what experts advise
Swarming is a normal springtime behavior for honey bee colonies: a portion of the hive leaves with a queen and temporarily clusters while scout bees search for a new home. Extension experts say these swarms are usually not aggressive and recommend giving them space and calling a beekeeper or local extension office instead of trying any DIY removal, per Iowa State Extension.
Airports and pollinators
Some airports have leaned into working with beekeepers, using unused land for managed hives and training staff to respond safely when swarms show up. Axios reported that Pittsburgh International operates one of the country’s largest airport apiaries, reflecting a broader effort to protect pollinators while keeping aviation operations safe. Federal information notes that pollinators support large portions of U.S. agriculture and ecosystems, and USDA resources highlight both the economic and ecological importance of these species.
For travelers at BWI, officials advise a simple approach: if you spot a cluster of bees, keep your distance and alert airport staff so trained teams can step in. For general situations outside the airport, extension offices say the safest move is to leave swarms alone and wait for a beekeeper to arrive, per Iowa State Extension.
