The weather still seems uncharacteristically warm but temperatures had dropped at the weekend which made me decide to carry out the long planned relocation of two hives into the new apiary position. I enlisted the assistance of my son and we closed the entrances, lifted the hives as complete units and transported them to their new positions about 20 metres away. We positioned them onto prepared breeze block bases and left the entrances closed but omf open.
The entrances were kept closed from Sunday until Thursday when I opened the entrances but placed shading in front to avoid the afternoon sun encouraging bees to come out in any significant numbers. One hive saw a couple of curious bees emerge but turn round and go back inside. The other hive had a few bees come out and fly but they returned within moments. Hopefully the temperatures will remain low and the bees will be happy to remain in their new position until spring has sprung.
One more hive still needs moving into the new position. This will be a job for next weekend, subject to weather.
The entrances were kept closed from Sunday until Thursday when I opened the entrances but placed shading in front to avoid the afternoon sun encouraging bees to come out in any significant numbers. One hive saw a couple of curious bees emerge but turn round and go back inside. The other hive had a few bees come out and fly but they returned within moments. Hopefully the temperatures will remain low and the bees will be happy to remain in their new position until spring has sprung.
One more hive still needs moving into the new position. This will be a job for next weekend, subject to weather.
