Bees swarm White House North Lawn weeks after Melania Trump adds hives

A swarm of bees settled on the White House North Lawn on Friday, weeks after first lady Melania Trump added two new colonies to the grounds.

The bees first appeared as small black dots near the press area known as Pebble Beach. About 20 minutes later they moved into a hive on a tree on the North Lawn.

The cause of the swarm is not known. The first lady had recently announced the addition of two new colonies to the two already on the property and unveiled a replica White House beehive on the South Lawn.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The new hives were on display during the state visit of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Both longtime beekeepers, the royal couple toured the expanded hive with the Trumps on the South Lawn. Honey from the colonies was served at the state dinner.

The expansion is expected to increase annual honey production by about 30 pounds. The colonies can reach roughly 70,000 bees in peak summer months and produce up to 225 pounds of honey a year.

The hives, funded by the Trust for the National Mall, help pollinate the White House Kitchen Garden, the Flower Cutting Garden and vegetation on the National Mall.

The White House beekeeping program began in 2009 after carpenter Charlie Brandt started keeping bees on the grounds as a hobby. The Office of the First Lady has called it a lasting tradition.