Fast/reliable method to move bees 50 feet?

[viridens]

I built a nice new top bar hive last month. I was hoping to use it as a home for a decent sized swarm, but haven't heard of any swarms this year (very unusual!). I did collect and hive a cast 3 weeks ago, and the queen has now started laying.
I am now considering moving this thriving little colony into the TBH -I now regret not plonking them into it in the first place. I would fix the existing comb & brood (3 frames) to the top bars. BUT I need to move the bees between the points shown on the photo below, about 50 feet.

When I last moved a hive from the middle of the row to a nearby corner by the normal 'little by little' method I lost most of the flying bees by drifting, and it may as well have been an artificial swarm. Bee loss is made worse by the cover of vines, walls, changes of height etc. I was hoping to keep the colony together this time since they are doing well and making progress.

Can anyone recommend a method to make the move all in one go, or experience in moving bees this way without losing them in the process?

Before you ask,that's a bait hive on the bridge. I'm an optimist

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

How about taking the mountain to Mahommed - ie move the top bar to where they are presently, do the transfer, then move that a bit at a time, it should be distinctive enough for them not to get lost with short moves.

Or find a temporary home 3+ miles away?

 

[buzz lightyear]

Great garden!

 

[Midland Beek]

If you do that move in one go at this time of the year all the flying bees will be lost. They will most probably try to get into the hives still in the old location and they will be killed as they do so.

What you could do is move the TBH to the nuc and do your transfer. The TBH being more of a 'target' could then be moved across the lawn of the order of a foot or two every couple of days until it is in your new position.

 

[RoseCottage]

I agree with the others... the distinctive tbh shape suits its move. I would move this slowly over a week to the new location leaving the original hive to pick up stragglers and shake them in the evening/night.

All the best,
Sam

 

[drstitson]

if i lived there i wouldn't be happy having to go 3 miles away for a month!!!!!

 

[drstitson]

has anyone ever tried rigging up a dummy hive with a suitable pipe between it and the new hive?

old foragers free to leave new hive by entrance and return via pipe. new foragers learn new site.

 

[viridens]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions - I particularly like the pipe idea, and will try it when the opportunity arises.

I received a call and collected a swarm(s?) this afternoon (see new post) and so the TBH is now occupied and so the need for the move has now gone.