A swarm of bees prompted pedestrians to steer clear of part of central Auckland’s Queen St this afternoon. Photo / Haggarty
One witness told the Herald a security guard asked people to cross to the opposite footpath.
“I was like, ‘Well, why? I can’t see anything dangerous’,” the witness said.
After crossing the road, the witness said there were “bees everywhere” and described the scene as looking as though the insects were attempting to establish a hive.
The witness said the swarming was “quite exciting, to be honest”.
Auckland Beekeepers Club swarm coordinator Bryan Lang said spring, from September to December, was the peak swarming season in Auckland.
Lang said company Bees Up Top maintained rooftop hives on several CBD buildings.
“An existing hive gets too full and there’s no room for the queen to lay,” Lang said.
The queen then leaves with a large portion of the colony to search for a new home, while a new queen takes over the original hive, he said.
Despite their intimidating appearance, Lang said swarms are generally not dangerous because the bees are focused on relocation rather than defending a hive.
“They’re just solely concerned with finding that new home,” Lang said.
“The only way they would sting you is if you put your hand on one or stood on one.”
Lang said a club member was on the way to collect the swarm and relocate it.
“He’ll scoop them into a box. And as long as the queen has gone into that box, the rest of the bees will follow in.”