Fifteen Thousand Bees Found Shelter in a Random Buick Parked at a Grocery Store

As stated by accounts from local emergency responders and the New York Times, the driver of the vehicle purportedly completed a brief 10-minute trip to a nearby Albertsons supermarket at around 4 p.m. on Sunday. With temperatures surpassing 70 degrees Fahrenheit that day, the individual opted to leave the rear windows of the Buick open while he shopped. However, this seemingly minor choice led to a swarm of bees promptly establishing a “temporary residence” within the car.

Upon his return to the vehicle, which appears to be a Buick Century borrowed from an acquaintance, an estimated fifteen thousand bees had congregated on the passenger side of the car. Apparently oblivious to his newfound airborne companions, the driver purportedly began to depart before realizing that his car had attracted some unexpected visitors.

Subsequently, a call was placed to 911. Thankfully, emergency crews knew precisely who to contact: an off-duty firefighter by the name of Jesse Johnson.

Out of his thirty-seven years on this planet, Johnson had dedicated a decade of them to the Las Cruces Fire Department. During this period, he had cultivated several additional interests: serving as a paramedic, a father of two, and also looking after bees. It’s becoming evident why he was the ideal individual for the task.

Typically, the LCFD doesn’t handle bee swarms, but given the high foot traffic in the supermarket area and Johnson’s willingness to assist, they were able to promptly and efficiently address the swarming pollinators.

Johnson speculated that the bees might have splintered from a nearby colony, a common happening during the spring season. Utilizing his expertise in beekeeping and appropriate safety attire, he relocated the bees from the Buick to his personal property where he currently tends to four beehives. Johnson mentioned that the collective weight of the bees was 3.5 pounds.

Thankfully, there were no significant injuries reported during the episode, with only two individuals experiencing stings—a firefighter and a store security guard.

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