A rural Texas neighborhood was on alert as millions of bees swarmed the area after an 18-wheeler that was transporting hives overturned. Residents were urged to remain indoors to avoid being stung.
The truck reportedly made a wrong turn and entered the neighborhood with narrow roads. The driver attempted a tight turn, causing the truck to overturn and release the bees.
The driver had only traveled a few miles on the trip to North Dakota when the incident took place. The transport of large numbers of beehives is common in the commercial beekeeping industry.
Beehives are often transported in large numbers across the country to provide commercial pollination for agriculture in places like California and to collect honey from areas where flowers are in season.
Texas Residents Were Asked to Shut Their Windows
According to a report by Collin Rugg on X, the truck was carrying more than 400 hives, with each hive containing over 60,000 bees. Once they were free, the residents in Orange County, Texas, were asked to stay indoors and keep their windows shut.
Unfortunately, only about 25% of the beehives are expected to survive, according to the post, depending on whether the queen bees survive.
NEW: A Texas neighborhood was forced to go on lockdown after an 18-wheeler flipped over, releasing 24 *million* honeybees.
The truck was carrying more than 400 hives with about 60,000+ bees in each hive when the truck driver lost control and flipped into a ditch.
Locals in… pic.twitter.com/Lr5hSVu90r
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 23, 2026
Orange County ESD #4 warned residents through Facebook. The post read:
“Everyone that lives in the 1130/Colony Dr. area please remain indoors. An 18 wheeler carrying beehives has turned over and there is a heavy presence of bees in the area OCSO and ESD4 units are on scene.”
CBS News reported that no bee stings or serious injuries were immediately recorded after the incident. However, a photojournalist from CBS affiliate KFDM was stung, but he continued filming.
Beekeeping Volunteers Reached the Crash Site to Help
Christie Ray, the owner of Queen Bee Supply, and three or four volunteers from other beekeeping businesses reached the crash site to assist in the cleanup operation.
Moore Honey’s Chris Moore, his son, and many employees assisted in the bee rescue operation. He said that a loss of such scale will hit the affected beekeeper’s revenue:
“It’s a big loss. Any time you lose that many in one shot, it’s a big loss.”
Local beekeepers used catch boxes to collect stray bees, but it will take some time before the area is fully cleared, according to Moore.
Orange County ESD #4 shared an update on Facebook the following day, urging residents to remain cautious and avoid the work zone. It read:
“Bee Incident Update Colony Lane / Colony Drive Area
“OCESD4, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and assisting agencies remain on scene in the Colony Lane / Colony Drive area. The back portion of the neighborhood remains closed to traffic while crews continue operations.
“The overturned trailer carrying beehives is approximately 75% unloaded at this time. Crews are continuing to safely transfer the hives onto transport trucks, which will be hauled to a local honey farm.
“Residents in the immediate area are still encouraged to use caution and avoid the work zone. Colony Lane and Colony Drive at the rear of the neighborhood remain shut down until operations are complete.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as crews work to safely resolve this incident.”
Information about the semi truck driver was not immediately available, and it remains unclear whether any charges will be filed.