South Philadelphia neighbors sample ‘sewer honey’ after beekeeper relocates hive

PHILADELPHIA — It’s not every day neighbors gather around a sewer, but in a South Philadelphia neighborhood, residents were trying something un-“bee”-lieveable: honey produced by a colony of bees living underground on Lambert Street.

For about seven weeks, beekeeper Mark Berman worked to coax the hive out of a sewer and into a safer location.

“I haven’t heard of bees taking up residence in a sewer, but it’s safe from predators,” said Berman of Anna Bees Honey.

Berman began the process in mid-April, building a trap to attract worker bees so he could ultimately relocate the colony. He used a brood from another hive to lure them.

“I brought over some eggs and larva from a healthy colony, and they started raising a queen in the trap box, and the queen under the sewer was trapped down there,” he said.

As the effort unfolded, neighbors lost access to a parking spot near the sewer, but many said the unusual situation brought the community closer together.

“Every day it’s been something to observe, only when I drive by in my car usually, just to stay safe,” said Madison Vassalotti of South Philadelphia.

Others found themselves fielding questions from curious passersby.

“I’ll be walking to the gym or the supermarket, and people will be like, ‘Hey, what’s going on with the bees? How’s the progress with the bees going?'” said Thom Duffy.

After weeks of work, the colony finally vacated the sewer, and the buzz that once drew attention to the site began to fade.

Berman made sure to look inside the underground space.

“We put a camera down there. It’s pretty clean,” Berman said.

With the bees relocated, Berman loaded the trap box into his truck, leaving behind an open parking spot and a few stragglers.

While the colony is gone, neighbors say the experience – and the memorable taste of “sewer honey” – will linger.

“I’m going to be glad to get the parking spot back. But I’m sad to see them go,” said Vassalotti.