“You will get stung. Accept that.”

When it comes to transporting beehives, our drivers have a lot of experience. We asked some of our most seasoned carriers to share their tips and stories about beehive hauling.

Here are some of their insights:

Planning is everything

“Plan your route in advance, especially when it comes to stops.”

During daylight hours, the truck needs to keep moving. This minimizes overheating of the bees. Our drivers stock up on food and fuel, and their motto during the day is: just keep driving.

Have the right gear

“A good beesuit and veil, elastic gloves, and duct tape around the boots. Those bees find a way to crawl in!”

In addition to protective wear, our drivers also know to carry a hose, additional straps, and netting.

Paperwork

“You don’t want to get held up at the scales because you don’t have the right forms.”

Beehive transport has specific paperwork requirements. Ensure drivers have all of the correct paperwork, especially when crossing state lines.

Try to arrive on time

Although it’s often easier said than done, pickup and delivery times are important when transporting bees. Loading and unloading ideally take place at dusk, when the bees are inside their hives.

Mindful of other truckers at stops

Our drivers try to keep fuel stops as efficient as possible. They make sure the bees are well watered, and check for any tears in the netting. If possible, they’ll park away from other trucks at stops, to give drivers space.

Responsibility

“Bees are expensive, you’ve been given a lot of responsibility.”

A bee load is high and heavy, requiring care when driving, cornering, and braking. Beehive transport drivers understand the responsibility they’ve been given. They take the load seriously and work hard to deliver their live cargo safely and securely.

“Bee hauling is a different deal but one which can be accomplished without issue if you simply do all the right things. Do exactly what the bee owner tells you.“