A buzz in downtown Franklin drew a crowd on Saturday as a swarm of bees took shelter on a tree along Liberty Street.
David Rodgers, a Franklin firefighter and owner of Rodgers’ Apiary, collected the bees that set out in search of a new home.
The mass of bees flying in the air as Rodgers shook the tree appeared startling to onlookers, but he assured those who had questions that the bees presented a low threat as they swarmed. Swarming bees are the least likely to sting because they have no home to protect and their bellies are full of honey to take to a new hive.
Rodgers, who didn’t wear any protective gear, coerced the bees into a box he brought by blowing smoke on them, shaking the tree, and even scooping them with his hand.
Jodi Baker-Lewis, Executive Director at Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, called Rodgers to collect the bees after she noticed them on the tree at about 1:30 p.m.
