According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Apiary Program, approximately 50,000-60,000 honey bee colonies enter Wisconsin for honey production or pollination services each year. Additionally, approximately 34,000 honey bee colonies leave the state each fall. Beekeepers move these colonies within the state and across state lines on semi-trucks often carrying 400 or more hives per trailer, with each honey bee colony housing 50,000-70,000 honey bees, depending on the time of year.
The WHPA and DATCP developed a Bee Spill Response Plan in preparation for potential road emergencies with semi-loads of bees. The plan provides guidance for first responders including first-on-the-scene response assessment, destruction and/or rescue of colonies, and additional contacts for sharing expertise and/or assistance in finding beekeepers in the area.
The plan was also shared with over 800 local Wisconsin fire departments and county emergency management departments. The complete plan may be found at https://wihoney.org/