Nearly 80% of the world’s crop plants need pollination by animals, says the US Forest Service. Per the USDA, pollinated crops are worth more than $10 billion annually. 

It’s not surprising that more and more beekeepers are offering pollination services. California alone produces 80% of the almonds consumed globally. Every winter, almond growers rely on bees trucked in from out-of-state. 

Bee rental provides a viable secondary source of income to complement honey production. And can even be a feasible alternative to cold-weather bee storage. 

There are three fundamental stages of transporting bees. A little planning will ensure the successful movement of this valuable cargo.

Stage 1: Preparing to move the beehives

Paperwork and equipment need advanced preparation. One oversight could mean lengthy delays or load rejection at the State border. At worst, you could suffer a significant loss of bees in transit. The beehives need to be securely packed, with no pests or dirt on board. And your driver should be given all completed paperwork before crossing state lines.

Planning

Planning goes a long way in the efficient delivery of your hives. 

Things to finalize before talking to your transportation provider:

• Exactly when your hives need to arrive at their final destination;
• The location of a clean holding yard for loading;
• Ensuring beehives and pallets are clean and sturdy for transport.

Details to discuss with your transportation provider:

• How long the journey will take;
• How many hives you can transport in one load;
• Which lane (route) minimizes the need for daytime stops;
• What permits and paperwork are mandatory.

The ideal time for loading bees onto the truck will be before sunrise or after sunset. Keeping the load moving during daytime hours is fundamental to avoid bees overheating. A reputable carrier will know the importance of exact timing for loading. They will limit daytime stops such as for fuel and food. 

Paperwork

Most likely, your bees will travel across state lines during transportation. As soon as you have decided the travel route, contact the state apiarist or authority. Some states have biosecurity obligations for entry and exit. Advance knowledge of these rules will help prevent unnecessary delays at state borders. 

The state you are transporting to will require an entry permit. The permit includes a certificate of hive health, showing clean and pest-free equipment. The permit and certificate must be issued within a certain timeframe before transport.

Every state has rules about the transit of agricultural items. Your broker or carrier will work with you on the correct permits in advance. 

Equipment

An experienced carrier or broker will know the equipment specific to beehive transportation. They may even already have their own. But this is an area to confirm in advance.

In addition to the usual straps; carriers should have a bee suit, smoker, and netting. Seasoned drivers will carry a hose for watering the load during stops. It’s essential to educate drivers on the proper use of bee equipment. Cleanliness of beehives, the truck, and the trailer, is mandatory for clearing biosecurity checkpoints.

Stage 2: While beehives are in-transit

In transit, it is all about reducing stress to the bees. Upset bees move, which increases the temperature inside the hive. With many beehives packed together, the danger of losing bees increases. Something as routine as stopping for fuel, could be too long and at the wrong time of day. 

Ventilation

Beehives pack many thousands of bees in a small space. This is not a problem when the hives are on the ground, and the bees are free to come and go. But during transit, the potential for overheating can be fatal. Bees use the sun to orient, so they are active during the day. Activity in a tightly packed beehive generates a lot of heat. Adequate ventilation ensures the safety and wellbeing of bee and livestock cargo. On the flip side, hives placed on a trailer without netting allow the bees to escape or swarm. This can have devastating effects on surrounding areas. Secure nets prevent bees from escaping while at the same time providing necessary airflow. 

Stops

When transporting livestock and bees, the aim is to keep the truck moving. The primary rule when transporting beehives is to stay mobile during the day and to rest at night. Because bees use the sun to orient they are most active in daylight. Activity can result in overheating or stress. At night, the bees, as well as the driver, need to rest. Daytime stops should be avoided or limited. If a stop is necessary, the driver can find a shady spot and use the hose to water down the load. The watering helps prevent overheating. Professional bee carriers know to fuel at night. Being aware of their mileage and route allows them to plan for fuel stops in advance. The same is true for meals and food. They will minimize food and rest stops during the day, taking care of that business after sunset. Although livestock drivers are exempt from mandatory stops, they must avoid driver fatigue.

Driving Conditions

Experienced livestock truck drivers take their responsibility seriously. They are aware of the expense and care needed when transporting live animals. However, the bee owner must be prepared to inform the driver of in-transit bee care. As pollination transports take place during winter, weather can impact driving conditions. Snow, rain, and icy conditions put even veteran truckers to the test. Knowing the precise speed for navigating a turn, is critical for ensuring the safety of the load. An inexperienced driver could misjudge a corner based on the weight of the beehives. Road closures, especially through California’s mountains, can also happen. A reliable broker partner will help a carrier find a better lane.

Stage 3: Optimal timing for beehive arrival 

Arriving at the specified time is crucial when transporting bees. Offloading at night is the best for the bees’ wellbeing. Daytime offloading could result in active bees flying out. In a new environment, they’ll become disoriented and unable to return to the hive. 

Beehive transportation is a different type of deal. But with planning and preparation, and with the right people, it can go smoothly and without issue.

Working with reputable bee trucking companies will make the job a whole lot easier. Loop Logistics are specialists in bee transportation. We cover every detail, saving costly mistakes. We have developed proprietary training for our bee carriers.