IDAHO FALLS -- A retailer in eastern Idaho was best by a swarm of bees likely trying to find a new home.

Instead of waiting for a beekeeper to help, employees at the Fred Meyer in Idaho Falls used water hoses and poisonous pesticide to kill and scare off the flying and stinging insects.

Meanwhile, customers took refuge inside the store or in neighboring businesses.

Fred Meyer Manager Brian O'Toole says, "Our biggest concern is making sure our customers and our employees are safe and that they have the freedom to go in and out of the store."

Krystal Merchen, who works at a nearby barber shop, says "Just tons of bees all started swarming around the parking lot and then they all just kind of gathered at the light right above our door and just hung there."

Entomologists say a swarm may contain from 1,500 to 30,000 bees, and often occurs due to overcrowding in a hive.