READER REPORT: Bees at Fauntleroy ferry dock (and what to do if you find a swarm somewhere)

(File photo of honey bee – photographed in 2024 by Steve Bender)

Out of the WSB inbox, from Johnny:

I was just at the Fauntleroy ferry dock near the tail end of the line [near tollbooth, lane 3] and there was a swarm of bees, dozens of them, flying all over the place. They must have built a nest nearby. I didn’t dare open my windows, even on a day like this. I thought I would send that information along since it can be real dangerous for some people. I reported it to WSDOT.

We’ll be checking with Washington State Ferries but in the meantime, since this is information we publish every year, we’ll take a moment to explain that if they’re honey bees, you should notify a local beekeeper who would be interested in collecting the swarm. Here’s the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association list for this year – including West Seattle contacts.

P.S. PSBA members and others will be happy to educate you about bees at this year’s West Seattle Bee Festival on May 17 – more info on that soon!

3 Replies to "READER REPORT: Bees at Fauntleroy ferry dock (and what to do if you find a swarm somewhere)"

  • brizone May 1, 2025 (3:48 pm)

    Oh no!  I was wrapping up a hive inspection at the WS Bee Garden right around then, and could have come and collected them, but am now downtown and just saw this.  Doh! I might drive over there to check them out in a few hours when I’m back in WS if someone hasn’t already grabbed them.

  • anonyme May 1, 2025 (6:14 pm)

    Now that’s a photo for the NYT Spelling Bee.

  • Westsidegirl May 2, 2025 (9:47 am)

    Thank you for writing the blog and letting us know! And yes, there are some people that will collect the beads on your property or wherever: for free!

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