White Lick Beekeepers Association

How to Be Prepared for Your New Bee Arrival

3/30/2026

Picking up a honeybee package is an exciting step, but it can be a bit nerve-wracking if you aren't prepared for the logistics of transporting thousands of tiny passengers.
Here are some practical tips to ensure the bees arrive home safely and your vehicle stays (mostly) bee-free:
1. Preparing Your Vehicle

Temperature Control: Bees can overheat very quickly in a stationary car. If it’s a warm day, keep the AC on. If it’s cool, you don't need the heat blasting—aim for a comfortable 60–70°F.
Airflow is Key: Do not put the packages in a sealed trunk. They need ventilation. If you are using an SUV or truck with a cap, ensure there is airflow.
The "Bee Net" or Mesh Bag: While packages are screened, there are often "hitchhikers" (loose bees) on the outside of the cage. Placing the package inside a mesh laundry bag or a dedicated bee transport bag keeps those loose bees from flying around your head while you drive.
Secure the Load: Use a seatbelt or a small bungee cord to keep the package upright. If it tips over, you risk drowning the queen in the sugar syrup feeder or damaging the cluster.

2. Supplies to Bring

A Spray Bottle: Fill it with a simple sugar syrup (1:1 ratio). If the bees seem agitated or the weather is hot, a very light mist through the screen calms them down and keeps them hydrated.
Cardboard or Plastic Liner: Place a piece of cardboard or a trash bag under the package in your car. Bees can sometimes leak sugar syrup or "waste" during the trip, and this protects your upholstery.
Your Protective Gear: You don't necessarily need to wear a suit to drive, but have your veil and gloves handy just in case you need to handle the package or if a hitchhiker gets too close for comfort.

3. During the Drive

Go Straight Home: This isn't the time to run errands. The less time they spend in the "limbo" of a traveling cage, the better their survival rate.
Keep it Smooth: Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns. You want to keep the cluster of bees attached to the queen cage and the feeder as stable as possible.

4. Once You Get Home

The "Cool, Dark Place" Rule: If you aren't installing them immediately, keep the package in a cool, dark place like a garage or basement.
Feed Them Again: Give the screens another light mist of sugar water. A well-fed bee is a much calmer bee during the installation process.

5. Final Safety Check

Check the Queen: Before you leave the pickup site at Bunkerhill Rd, take a quick peek to ensure the queen is alive in her small hanging cage. It's much easier to address an issue while you are still with the supplier.

White Lick Beekeepers

Here's a free coloring sheet for our littlest beekeepers to enjoy. Simply print and color. Make your very own work of art. Courtesy of coloringbook.ai

Join us

Here's a free coloring sheet for our littlest beekeepers to enjoy. Simply print and color. Make your very own work of art.
Courtesy of coloringbook.ai