A Most Unusual Alert For Residents: Beware of Honey Bee Swarm

MADISON, CT — Not everyone in Madison received the call or text alert Wednesday afternoon as it was directed to the specific area "of the sighting," according to the office of First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons.

And while it may not be(e) the first ever such alert, it's nonetheless an unusual one.

Around 1:30 p.m., this is the message received on landlines and via text message:

"A large and possibly aggressive honey bee swarm has been reported by a Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Officer on County Road between Summer Hill Road and Cross Road. Residents should avoid jogging or biking in the area. Stay alert and immediately seek shelter if spotted nearby. DEEP Wildlife Division is currently seeking advice from a bee specialist."

At around 1:45, the Facebook group Madison 911 Dispatchers noted that the "State Bee Keeper is en route to investigate."

According to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Mark Creighton is Connecticut's "Master Beekeeper."

The town shared the dispatchers Facebook group post which updated at 2:30 to note that, "This is the result of a local beekeeper harvesting his honey this morning. The bees should calm down and return to their hive soon."

This post may be updated when and if anymore is learned about the swarm.