'Beeware!': Swarm of bees takes over Sydney CBD during lunchtime rush

A swarm of bees had Sydney's city slickers running for cover on Friday as the queen looked for a new home for her colony.

@tomeverin snapped this photo as it unfolded.. un-bee-lievable.

@tomeverin snapped this photo as it unfolded.. un-bee-lievable. Source: Twitter @tomeverin

A cloud of bees stopped the Sydney CBD lunchtime rush on Friday as people ducked and ran for cover to avoid being stung.

The bee swarm were seen buzzing around buildings before they eventually settled for a parked motorbike to call home on Sydney’s busy Castlereagh St.

A photo of the bees after they settled for a motorbike to be their new home.
A photo of the bees after they settled for a motorbike to be their new home. Source: NSW Police

Witnesses said the bees could be seen up to two blocks away and up to three storeys high, according to the ABC.

A beekeeper was seen coming to the rescue, taking the queen away from the scene with 7News capturing the moment.

NSW Police also pitched in to help, warning the public to "beeware" of the swarm in the city. 

The queen bee is the largest adult female in a colony and considered the heart of a hive. Typically she is the mother to most of the bees. Without a good queen, the rest of the colony would not survive so the bees will work to fiercely protect her.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

By Natasha Christian



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world