As peak swarm season continues across the region, one South Philadelphia bee infestation is drawing attention as a massive honey bee colony was found living inside a sewer on Lambert Street, writes John Paul for 6abc.
Neighbors say the swarm first became noticeable weeks ago when thousands of bees surrounded a parked car, alarming residents and forcing the block to temporarily close off the parking spot for safety.
After struggling to get help through traditional channels, residents contacted local beekeeper Mark Berman of Anna Bees Honey, who described the situation as weird, unusual, and unlike anything he had seen.
Rather than risk provoking the colony by opening the sewer cover, Berman installed a specialized funnel trap designed to encourage the bees to leave on their own while preventing them from returning underground. Over time, the queen is expected to stop laying eggs, pushing the colony to relocate into a nearby trap box.
Berman estimates the sewer colony could contain more than 10,000 bees. Once the relocation is complete, he plans to safely remove the hive and even harvest what neighbors have jokingly dubbed “sewer honey.”
For now, residents are waiting patiently for the buzzing to finally subside — with a sweet reward possibly coming afterward.
Read more about the sticky situation in South Philly at 6abc.
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