Advice on moving double broods.

[SDM]

A 2nd ventilation source is always a good idea when disturbing them in my opinion. All it takes is for them to get bumped , bees fall of the cluster or get riled up and block the omf with bees. It's one occasion where a matchstick or two won't hurt.

 

[Beefriendly]

He's only moving them 40 meters. I think he will get away with only having an open mesh floor.

 

[Poly Hive]

It's not the moving I was thinking about but the 36 hour shut in........

Serious potential for trouble there.

PH

 

[Beefriendly]

With an open mesh floor at this time of year.
You are joking aren't you?
Mine survive for weeks without flying on solid floors and tiny entrance as only source of air.
Shut that off and give them an open mesh floor for ventilation...they would have at least 100X more potential area for fresh air to enter the hive.

 

[Amari]

 

[Curly green finger's]

I agree I've moved mine with just OMF floors as ventilation in winter no problems early evening when you can see open entrances the next day.
I'm at present moving hives half a mile and among my garden apiary .

 

[SDM]

Having seen a few poly hives collapse combs just from having their entrances closed, I've no wish to see it again( the clean up is a miserable affair).

 

[Ian123]

Whenever moving hives it’s best to go over the top. Better having to much than an making cock up!!

 

[Millet]

The OP is moving hives 40 yards for the love of god and in winter..not moving during a heat wave 70 mile away...get a grip people.

 

[Poly Hive]

Better safe than sorry a brewed colony is indeed a very sad affair.

PH

 

[Beefriendly]

Seems we have theory vs practicality here.
I annually transport poly hives with open mesh floors with very large colonies of bees nearly 50 miles to the Borage in summer. I just close the entrance and have never had any problems with collapsed frames fried bees etc. The open mesh floor has become your travel screen in an inverted way ....Although I do this in the early hours of the morning to avoid excessive heat.
If I was moving them long distances in high temperatures on hot summer days then I would suggest a top travel screen as well as an open mesh floor would be a very good idea....but moving hives 40m at this time of year, totally OTT and unnecessary.

 

[tom8400]

So how long do you need leave them shut in if moving 40m at this time of year when temperatures are mild? I have three to move so could move one at a time to leave one to pick up any returners

 

[enrico]

Whatever happens you are going to have enough returners to make you panic but at the end of the day if they need to be moved then move them. I moved mine 25 meters last year in a two week cold spell and still had returners. They were gone by nightfall and who knows if they die or find their way home. It all worked well though. They are now in the perfect spot.!
E

 

[Heather]

My husband made me a sedan type carrier with a centre piece to support a National size box. Two to lift, but it spreads the weight and two can carry easily.

 

[Bakerbee]

Tom8400 i shut mine in for 36 hours. It showered on n off over those days but was also mild and cloudy at times. Theyve all moved well and were out orientating today as it was sunny. Id say there were at the most 20 returnees to old position but when it clouded over disappeared.

I cant honestly think that closing my entrances( the smallest bar setting) up at this time of year when 1cm below is an omf made any difference to ventilation. Its mid winter and although dorset fares well weather wise, its not been above 12c at best on the odd sunny afternoon. Theyve survived and are much more hardy than some on here have feared. Thanks for all advice. I always read all, have a think and go with my gut. At some point you have to start making your own prudent choices.