Everything we get asked about the Bee Revival Kit — what is in it, how to use it safely, how to refill it, and what to do when you find a tired bee. One thing worth saying first: most bees just need a flower. If you can, move the bee somewhere sheltered near one and give it a few minutes. The kit is for the times when there is no flower within reach.
Safety
Whether a tired bee will sting you, how to pick one up, and keeping the kit sensible around children and pets.
Using your kit
How to offer the syrup, what to do once the bee has drunk, and how long recovery usually takes.
How long does it take for a bee to recover?
It depends how exhausted the bee is. Some recover within a few minutes of drinking; others take several hours. Give it space and keep checking rather than moving it repeatedly.
- How do you know if the bee is actually drinking?
- How to use your Bee Revival Kit
- How to revive a bee with sugar water
Refills and care
Keeping the vial topped up, what to refill it with, and how long the syrup keeps.
How long does the syrup last?
The syrup in a sealed Bee Revival Kit vial is designed to last up to 12 months.
What do I do if the syrup is stuck in the vial?
First make sure the vial is warm enough for the syrup to run. If it looks runny but still will not move, it is usually an air bubble — give it a firm shake and a flick.
How do I refill my kit?
Use a Bee Revival Kit Refill Bottle, or make up a simple sugar and water solution at home — the ratio and method are in our guide to reviving a bee with sugar water. Never use honey.
What is in the kit
What the kit contains, what the syrup actually is, and what it is made from.
Is the syrup safe for bees?
Yes. It is a carefully made sugar syrup formulated for bee nutrition, of the same kind beekeepers use to feed colonies.
Is the kit environmentally friendly?
It is built to be refilled rather than replaced. Kits are handmade in Devon, and the plantable packaging option is wildflower seed paper, holding daisy, poppy and forget-me-not seeds. For the full material list, see whether the kit is plastic-free.
Can I use the kit on other insects?
Yes. It will help a tired butterfly or hoverfly, and it works on a wasp too, which is worth knowing before you decide whether to save a wasp.
- Is the bee revival kit plastic-free?
- Should you save a wasp?
- The Bee Revival Kit
- What is a bee revival kit, and when to use one
Buying and gifting
Where to buy, what delivery costs, gift boxes, and bulk or trade orders.
Can I buy Bee Revival Kits in bulk?
Yes. Trade, charity and corporate quantities are handled through wholesale Bee Revival Kits, where you can build a quote.
- Is a bee revival kit a good gift?
- Shop all Bee Revival products
- Bee Revival Gift Box
- Bee Revival Gift Box (2 kits)
- Wholesale and trade orders
- Delivery and returns
Scenarios and seasons
The specific situations people actually find bees in — wet, grounded, indoors, or out at the wrong time of year.
- How to help a bee at night
- Do you need a bee revival kit in winter?
- How to save a wet or drowning bee
- How to save a dehydrated bee
- How to help a bee that cannot fly
- What to give a tired bee
Still not answered?
Email help@reviveabee.com and we will answer it — and if it is a good question it usually ends up on this page. You can read more about why we made the kit on our about page, or get a Bee Revival Kit.