Subject: Bee Pickup and Class
25th (example)
Greetings fellow and future
beekeepers,
This message is to confirm the pickup schedule for next weekend and provide directions,
basic information and instructions for picking up your order.
Please note: We will be holding the basic beekeeping class from 10 am until around
2 pm. For those not attending the class, if possible please plan to come
pick up your bees between 3:00 and 4:00 pm.
This time is for example only - your time
slot may be different, but will not be before 10 am or after 7 pm unless
special arrangements are made prior to placing your order)
Do's & Do Not's
What you should bring ... Any time you visit a bee farm, or more aptly
referred to as an Apiary, protective gear is always a good idea. If you ordered
protective gear from us, we will have it on hand and available when you
arrive to pickup your bees. Please be aware that bees will be flying in the area and depending on the weather and other conditions, may be
very active. If you or anyone in your party happen to be allergic to bee stings, please remain in your vehicle.
The bees that are being picked up will be contained in hives and nuc boxes which are screened in with tops that will not come off during transport. Therefore they can be transported in the back of a car, truck, SUV etc.
However, it is common for a few "loose bees" to be attached to the screen on
the bottom of the box you will be loading. These loose bees can easily be
brushed off before loading the boxes into an automobile, but they do like to
use their wings and will attempt to return to the nest. This is where they
will like to stay, so allowing this does not normally present a problem for
the loose bees, nor a threat to passengers in the vehicle. If this is a
major concern for any of the passengers, you may want to consider a pickup
or net the boxes to be carried in your vehicle. A simple search for "beehive
transport netting" will return multiple options. We do not provide netting
for your hives, but will assist with netting them if you bring the nets.
We recommend using a ratchet strap or equivalent method to secure your bees
while in transit. Shade should be considered when stopping on the way to
your destination with your bees. Short stops for fuel are not a concern, but
like any other live animal, your bees should not be left in the direct sun
or excessive heat when they are closed up if the vehicle stops moving for
very long during transport. The bees need water to keep the hive cool, so
having a spray bottle could be helpful should you have to make an
unscheduled stop (flat tire, etc) that takes longer than a few minutes. You
can mist the bees from below through the screen if needed.
