What began as a routine field visit in Beaverton turned into an unexpected – and buzzing – discovery for Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) staff – one that ultimately saved tens of thousands of honeybees.
While reading a water meter on SW Augusta Drive, Derek, a TVWD Field Customer Service Representative, noticed a large number of bees flying in and out of a water meter box. Upon closer inspection, Derek discovered something remarkable: tens of thousands of honeybees had established an active colony inside the water meter box.
“This wasn’t just a few bees,” Derek said. “There were thousands coming and going. I knew we couldn’t just leave them there and we couldn’t safely get to the water meter.”
Fortunately, Derek knew exactly who to call. Two of his TVWD coworkers – Jeremy, Fleet Coordinator, and Bruce, a Distribution Water Operator – were experienced beekeepers.
“I remembered Jeremy and Bruce keep bees outside of work,” Derek said. “I called them right away. They know how to handle this kind of thing.”
Early the next day, Jeremy and Bruce arrived on site and carefully assessed the situation. Using gentle smoke to calm the colony, they lifted the water meter box’s lid, located the queen, and placed her into a clip to keep the colony together. Each of the five honeycombs was cut out and transferred into frames Bruce had brought along.
“The bees were calm, but you’ve got to move slow and keep your head in the game,” said Jeremy. “One wrong move, and the colony could have scattered. It’s all about patience and doing it right.”
“The way they packed a full hive into that tiny meter box was impressive,” said Bruce. “Once we got the frames in the box, we set it up so the rest of the bees would come back overnight. By morning, they were already settling in.”
A bee box was set up next to the meter box to allow returning bees to rejoin the colony overnight. Bruce then transported the colony to a local farm, giving the tens of thousands of bees a chance to thrive in a safer, more suitable environment.
A Sweet Outcome
By the following morning, the colony had fully transitioned into its new hive box, with returning bees rejoining the group overnight. Bruce then moved the colony to a farm where it can continue its vital role in pollinating crops and supporting the local environment.
For Derek, Jeremy, and Bruce, the experience was more than just an unusual workday – it was a reminder that quick thinking and teamwork can turn an unexpected challenge into a success.
“You never know what’s going to be under a meter box,” Derek said. “This one turned out to be a pretty big surprise.”
“It’s good to know we could save the hive,” Jeremy added. “It’s about doing the right thing for the bees and the community.”
“They just needed a safe spot,” Bruce said. “We handled it, and now they’re off doing their job where they belong.”
TVWD’s Approach to Honeybees
TVWD prioritizes the safe relocation of honeybees whenever possible and works to avoid harming pollinator populations.
When bees are encountered during field operations, staff seek alternatives to extermination and coordinate with experienced beekeepers to safely relocate colonies. This reflects the district’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and protecting local ecosystems.