General Discussion
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Has anyone see/heard about the Internet rumors that bees are swarming parts of Israel right now and genuinely becoming an issue for people to go outside and even impacting military operation?
I cannot find what I would consider a legitimate source but it seems pervasive on Instagram and a bunch of oddball websites.
I didn't know if anyone had first hand knowledge if that is actually happening or not.
On that same note, some of these rumors are also saying that Israel is dropping tons of glyphosates to destroy plants, including the ability to grow crops in southern Lebanon. That is concerning because that would be chemical warfare and a war crime. Plus also hurt the bees.
Just wondering how much of it is conspiracy theory and how much is real.
Goonch
(5,268 posts)"Thousands of bees swarm southern Israel
Residents in Israel have been documenting thousands of bees swarming the southern city of Netivot, prompting authorities to urge people to stay indoors. Bee experts say the phenomenon offers insights into swarming patterns, environmental stress, and how bees adapt to urban areas.
Published On 16 Apr 202616 Apr 2026
https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/video/newsfeed/2026/4/16/thousands-of-bees-swarm-southern-israel
Wicked Blue
(8,940 posts)canetoad
(20,820 posts)Because I'm by no means an expert on bees, but the swarming thing may be part of the natural order of things. I can only tell you about here in the southern hemisphere. In October bees swarm!
A new queen is born and she gathers her swarm and heads off looking for a place to set up a hive. I had a liitle swarm in my compost bin last October and previously had a neighbour who kept hives. At the end of every year there would be several swarms visiting me.
With the difference in seasons this may just be the answer to the swarms.