Bees Abandon Hives Before Disasters
Bees swarm away from their hives before storms or seismic events. Italian beekeepers reported mass hive abandonments before the 2016 Amatrice earthquake. Their sensitive wings and antennae may detect electromagnetic field changes or subtle air pressure drops. This unusual behavior disrupts honey production and alerts experienced apiarists to potential problems. Some scientific studies now focus on monitoring bee behavior as a potential earthquake prediction tool in high-risk regions.