Best time to shake?

[LJH]

I intend shaking out the remaining bees from a small queenless colony in front of another hive on Sunday, weather permitting. What is the best time of day to shake the bees from the frames? Is it better to do in the morning so they get more time to convince the other colony to let them in, or is it better in the evening when there are less bees flying? Does it matter?

Thank you.

 

[dpearce4]

Doesn't really matter but I would do it just after lunch as its the warmest part of the day and there should be lots of bees flying, depending on weather though.

 

[LJH]

Thank you

 

[Jeff M]

Why not do a normal unite?

 

[mazzamazda]

Earlier the better, warm day.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Irrespective of the time of day you do it when the bees are flying and are expected to do so for a few hours.

 

[LJH]

Why not do a normal unite?

I was advised by someone on the forum that as there are so few bees a shake out would be the easiest way forward. As it happens, that's the best way forward for me anyway as the hive isn't compatible with the home made hive the large colony are in. Therefore, my intention is to shake out, then move the combined colony into the national.

 

[LJH]

And thanks for the replies all

 

[oliver90owner]

We have to assume the 'shake out colony' is very close to (adjacent or between) your other hives. If it is not, don't bother, as the bees will get lost anyway.

 

[LJH]

It is. I purposely placed the large colony about 4 feet away from the hive. I will be moving the large colony about 18 inches closer to the other hive when I shake out, then next week will transfer all frames back into the national.

 

[REDWOOD]

Best time to shake?
At a Party