DELIVERING SERVICES. It is mutually agreed:
DELIVERING SERVICES. Deployment of the hives for the sideline pollinator is a major logistical and physical effort. The work is far from over when you have pollination contracts and hives ready to provide the pollination services requested. Loading 35 hives in the dark, without the use of fork lifts and with little light, is time consuming hard work. It took six hours to load the trailer for deployment. A minimum of one additional person is required for loading and unloading. • Recommendations: Have at least one assistant to load and deploy. If time is an issue, double your temporary help to three. The cost will be a third higher but the time required will be reduced by half. Plan your travel routes carefully. Good routes are those that are obstacle free, easily followed, and low in traffic with the least possible miles. The internet resources today allow you to plan your routes in detail, including stops for fuel or rest. Prepare early. If you have hives dispersed, it may be necessary to collocate them a week or more in advance. Prepare trailer and hives for loading early in the morning or evening. Day time moves need to be done at first light before heating becomes an issue. Since you are loading by hand, it will take time. Once you begin loading, the operation can move quickly. It is best to have one crew shutting entrances while another loads. Using this method it will take about three hours to load and secure 35–40 hives. Unloading will take about two hours. • Summer moves are best on the bees when done at night. It is cooler but the work is more difficult. Summer temperatures take their toll on your crew as well as on the bees. Hydration is critical for you and your staff. You may need changes of clothing as well as towels to dry off under high humidity conditions. White light attracts the bees, but the lack of light makes closing as well as strapping down, and loading difficult. Red lights including flood lighting and hat lights make the task easier and safer. • Keep the grower informed. Let them now when you are loading and retrieving hives. Also make sure you have walked the locations with them to ensure the bees are properly placed for both pollination and the growers’ activities. Make sure you discuss moves and the impact of spraying in the contracting phase.
