A semi truck carrying millions of bees bound for a blueberry farm near Seattle overturned on a highway early Friday morning, unleashing a swarm of the angry insects that local beekeepers are struggling to contain.

See also: Obama was just trying to read to kids when a swarm of bees ruined the whole thing

The driver in the crash on Interstate 5 was fine, though he is said to be devastated over the fate of his cargo.

"This is going to be a long-term deal," said State Patrol Sergeant Keith Leary of the cleanup, which is complicated by the fact that the estimated 14 million bees grew "increasingly agitated" as the temperature rose.

At least 3 more hours until this mess gets cleaned up #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/jNr5s9LanS — Kelly O'Connell (@kellymoconnell) April 17, 2015

Local reporters were seen swatting the insects while talking on camera. Others shared photos of their TV trucks covered in bees. "Everybody's been stung," Sergeant Ben Lewis told the Seattle Times's Evan Bush.

First sting! #Beenado badge of honor, I guess. The bees become more active when the sun comes up, according to WSP. pic.twitter.com/7PgcAacnv8 — Evan Bush (@evanbush) April 17, 2015

"The bees have gotten very, very angry," said Q13Fox reporter Kelly Moconnell.

My fellow media cohort @JeffKIRO7 delivering his report with bees on his back! It's war. #Bees pic.twitter.com/uhwrzw4NxB — JakeWhittenberg (@jakewhittenberg) April 17, 2015

Drivers were warned to keep their windows up and their air vents closed as they passed the scene, where millions of the bees swarmed overhead or gathered in small huddles on the pavement.

"In all seriousness, if driving through NB 5 #Beenado in Lynnwood, keep your windows/vents closed," said the Washington State Department of Transportation on Twitter. "Lots of stinging going on."

Still a mess although it appears beekeepers are getting it under control. #bees pic.twitter.com/kZziYRLXfW — JakeWhittenberg (@jakewhittenberg) April 17, 2015

A pile of dead bees near the collision. #beenado pic.twitter.com/pbArHI8qQG — Evan Bush (@evanbush) April 17, 2015

Workers wearing bee suits were seen salvaging boxes of the insects' hives at the scene. Some of them used heavy equipment.

WOW. Look. At. That. An incredible shot, but wow, mad props to the beekeepers out there. #q13fox pic.twitter.com/zlUhO49Kun — Troy Diggs (@amnewsboy) April 17, 2015

Crews are using heavy equipment to get the bees outta there. They're very active right now; what a mess. #q13fox pic.twitter.com/qOUV9APnsG — Troy Diggs (@amnewsboy) April 17, 2015

Eventually, firefighters arrived and sprayed a mixture of water and foam on the remaining boxes.

Fire fighters hitting the remaining #bees with a foam retardant. I'm told that kills them. pic.twitter.com/a8DwbxAU6B — JakeWhittenberg (@jakewhittenberg) April 17, 2015

The truck was eventually righted and traffic lanes reopened while workers sprayed down the remaining bees.

The bee-carrying semi truck flipped over on I-5, while firefighter spray foam to kill millions of agitated bees. pic.twitter.com/FfvrQmuL1B — Jeff Dubois (@JeffKIRO7) April 17, 2015

Local beekeeper Seth Smith told Q13Fox that the crash was likely a "big blow" to the local bee population, although their hives, he hoped, could be saved as long as the queen bees survived.