Queens exposed to extreme temperatures during shipping may have reduced sperm viability and compromised survival in the first eight weeks after shipping. However, some studies indicate that queens may experience early supercedure even without experiencing extreme temperatures during shipping, suggesting other variables may be interacting with temperature to damage queens. This study considers whether the interaction of temperature with humidity during shipping, called the vapour pressure deficit, contributes to dehydration and early supercedure, and explores whether supplementing queens with water during shipping can improve outcomes.