A truck accident in British Columbia's interior is causing a sticky situation for highway workers.

Highway 97A through Grindrod, southwest of Salmon Arm, was closed in both directions Monday after a rig carrying an estimated 3,000 bee hives -- and bees -- crashed around 4 a.m.

Officials worked frantically to scoop up the hives and their inhabitants before the sun rose -- as not to agitate the buzzing brethren.

The highway reopened to single lane alternating traffic just before 7 a.m.

Salmon Arm is located approximately 450 kilometres northeast of Vancouver in the province's interior.