Warning on bee packages
bee packs are a very delicate product and prone to being influenced by the temperatures and atmospheric conditions present outside. For this reason Apicoltura Laterza gives you some advice on the conservation and transport of the same. It is important for us to preserve the integrity of what we sell and always guarantee a high quality product. Another precaution is to avoid any complaints against us that are then attributable to a completely incorrect post-sales management. We care a lot about the health of bees, which like any animal deserve to be treated and managed in the most suitable and least traumatic way possible. Here are some pointers.
Advice for transporting packages
Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you have masks and smocks with you in case of an extraordinary accident. Furthermore, we always advise you to be equipped with enough water and above all to have a nebulizer available to be able to wet the packages in case they get hot along the way. In order to avoid unexpected sudden movements, you can also work with the use of ropes and straps which by keeping the packages still will prevent any falls or damage.
The ideal would be to use an arched vehicle but still in possession of side and front air intakes to ensure adequate air flow inside it during the journey. It is useless to specify that the back must be left open.
If you are not equipped with vehicles of this type, you can still use open box vans or trolleys, taking care to protect the side part of the load. We recommend that you be careful in case of cold temperatures. Direct air and cold could seriously damage bees that would not be able to survive. Obviously, in case of atmospheric precipitation it is very important to cover the upper part of the load.
Following a transport carried out in conditions that are not favorable for bees, such as particularly cold temperatures, it may happen that upon your arrival there are immobile bees on the bottom of the packages. In this case, don't give up immediately, arm yourself with patience and try to get the animals back. To do this, simply heat the packs in a gradual way and supply them with water and sugar through a nebulizer. The ideal would be to leave the packages in a warm but not too warm place, exposed to sunlight.
By spraying water and sugar and keeping the packages warm, some bees that seemingly lifeless might just be extremely dazed and if so, they would gradually recover.
Finally, if your only availability for transport is that of a closed van, be scrupulous in guaranteeing half of the free space and not to fill the vehicle to its maximum capacity. Open the hatches frequently and occasionally refresh the packs of bees with water.
Notice if the packages are getting too hot
During transport, it is possible to notice the health of the bees and if the packages have reached too high a temperature by observing them. If you notice bees crowded against the net making ventilation movements with their wings, it means that the animals are starting to get hot.
It is possible to do this effectively by wetting the packages with water. A good freshen up will make them feel better. For example, if you were inside a traffic jam or in cases of poorly planned transport, the bees could suffocate. Always have enough water with you to cool the bees during transport.
Recognizing good transport
The bee packs that have been transported correctly have very few dead bees on the bottom. The understandable limit is at most a few dozen deceased bees. In this case it is an acceptable value for physiological reasons and should not worry you at all. In the event that the dead bees were present in greater numbers, it would mean that the animals have been damaged by a very traumatic and improperly managed journey.
Free the bees after the transport trip
Once you arrive at your farm, it is preferable to empty the packs of bees in the hives immediately. It is advisable to do this at sunrise or sunset. At this time it is also appropriate to provide for the insertion of the queen into the colony inside her cage and not yet free that through the pheromone she will attract the bees in the right direction.
If you need to store your packages in the warehouse, go for a cool, dark corner. Packages are best stored at 8 to 10 degrees, avoiding lights. If the temperature exceeds 20 degrees, remember to wet them immediately.
Through the correct application of these simple but fundamental indications, you will be able to fully enjoy the ease and effectiveness regarding the management of bees, reaching your goals with speed and practicality. Bee packs are very useful for beekeepers as they are able to: replenish new colonies, strengthen weak families, add bees to the supers before or at the beginning of an important flowering, fill fertilization nuclei or generate new swarms.
Good work from Apicoltura Laterza.