Why bee swarms are buzzing through NYC and what to do if you see one

Why bee swarms are buzzing through NYC and what to do if you see one



It’s bee season — and swarms have been spotted across New York City.

In recent weeks, clouds of bees have buzzed through Midtown, clustered around light poles and even clung to sidewalk scaffolding. But despite how alarming such swarms may look, experts say they’re usually not dangerous.
Why bees are swarming now

More than 200 species of bees live in the city, often hiding out in buildings, rotting wood and green spaces. Summer is when swarming peaks, as bees search for food and new shelter.

“Swarms occur when the bees need more room to expand and essentially would like to form a new colony,” said Siri Chillara, a chemical engineer and urban beekeeper.

Chillara, who is on the advisory council for Bee University, a Staten Island-based nonprofit, said swarms like those spotted across the city as of late are bees “that are not necessarily violent or aggressive because they don’t have a hive to protect.”

What to do if you see a swarm

If you come across a swarm, your best bet is to leave it alone. Chillara estimated that only about 1-2% of people are severely allergic to bee stings and most bees won’t sting unless provoked.

Still, New Yorkers with allergies should watch for signs of a serious reaction, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing or swelling in the face.

The city health department recommends moving away from the area, removing the stinger if one is left behind and applying a cold compress to the affected spot.
Why bee sightings are actually a good sign

Bees are a crucial part of the city’s ecosystem, which is why the city has installed “bee hotels” and “bee bunkers” to help at-risk species thrive.


And when swarms appear in especially crowded areas, the NYPD’s beekeeping unit often steps in. Between 2019 and 2024, the department's beekeeper responded to dozens of swarm and hive removals across New York City — mostly in Manhattan and Brooklyn — involving sidewalks, scaffolding, trees and building facades. Public records show most of those calls were resolved within hours by Emergency Service Unit officers, sometimes using bucket trucks.

“As long as you’re not stepping on them, or actively harming them, they don’t really have anything to do with us," Chillara said. "They just have a job that they need to do, and then they go back home."