3 million bees confiscated from NYC beekeeper Yi Gen Chen

A swarm of some 3 million bees has been confiscated from a New York City beekeeper after his hobby got out of hand.

Andrew Cote of the city's Beekeepers Association tells the Daily News that beekeeper Yi Gen Chen ignored the rules of good urban beekeeping — and of common sense.

Cote and several beekeepers placed screens around each of Chen's hives Wednesday before removing them.

Chen told the News he started with one hive two years ago.

He said the bees got out of hand and he doesn't have the time or resources for them.

The hives occupied the driveway and backyard of Chen's two-family brick house in Queens.

The city legalized beekeeping in 2010. Licenses are not required but hives must be registered.