Thousands of Bees Swarm White House North Lawn as 2 New Colonies Expand Honey Program
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 15
Thousands of Bees Swarm White House North Lawn as 2 New Colonies Expand Honey Program
6 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 15
Thousands of bees descended on the White House North Lawn on Friday, clustering near the press corps’ Pebble Beach area before settling into a tree hive about 20 minutes later.
The cause was unclear, but the swarm came weeks after Melania Trump added 2 new colonies to the grounds’ existing 2 and unveiled a replica White House beehive.
That expansion is expected to raise annual honey output by about 30 pounds, with White House honey used in culinary dishes, official gifts and food donations.
At peak summer size, the colony can reach roughly 70,000 bees and produce up to 225 pounds of honey while helping pollinate the White House gardens and nearby National Mall vegetation.
The beekeeping program began in 2009 as a carpenter’s hobby and has since become a White House tradition highlighted during King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit.
How did the White House's 70,000 bees become a tool for international diplomacy?
Did a miniature White House beehive confuse its bees into swarming the real one?