how to move a WBC hive

[newbie]

I need to move a WBC hive down to the bottom of the garden - about 300 metres. The weather is still very mild - only one or two light frosts so far ...bees still coming out to play !
Once the winter arrives properly I plan to make the move.

Any suggestions ? - it is rather heavy !
Do I remove the roof and lifts and bung up the crown board and entrance blocks with sponge and attempt the move ? Is that the best way ?

Thanks everyone ...happy new year !

 

[region2]

I was told to transfer the frames into a national for ease of moving...

R2

 

[newbie]

I did get (myself !) a poly nuc for Christmas.... maybe I could use that ?...but I'd prefer not to disturb them more than necessary !

 

[countryman]

how many lifts? does the roof over hang? if only 2 and yes my sugestion is get a mate and two lengths of 4x2 say 6'-7' strap the wbc down with two or more straps front - back bung holes with foam 4x2's under the roof edge either side and v carefully lift and carry to postion without jolting or knocking

 

[newbie]

I have 2 lifts and overhanging roof ... I like your idea - carry the Queen like a real royal Queen ... I need to work off the Christmas dinner anyway !

 

[countryman]

works for me when i have to move my wbc mind it is the last one to be phased out now

 

[countryman]

bit like a sedan chair

 

[Skyhook]

Don't start lifting frames out in winter if you can help it! The key thing is not to let the boxes rattle around, so take off any surplus lifts, so that either the straps can pull down on the crownboard or press the roof down on the crownboard. Then block up as required, with sedan handles if wanted.

 

[Travelator]

I always remove the lifts, gaffer-tape any cracks between boxes, strap the inner boxes to the floor, bung up the entrance with sponge and then move.

I once built some special floors for transporting WBCs, but that would be overkill just for moving one down the garden.

Definitely don't try moving frames between boxes.

 

[Poly Hive]

Cough.

Ignore that lot.

Wait please for cold weather to do it in a oner

Failing that the three feet three mile rule applies and I say this as the winter is very open so far.

PH

 

[Heather]

Do not disturb any frames, or open hive at all. Wait for cold spell... then remove lifts,remove mouse guard, bung up entrance, strap down, move to new site and replace lifts and roof-including the insulation you should have under roof.
Do in evening just before dark, and leave bunged up till darker then remove bung from entrance- replace mouse guard.
Check that forecast for next few days is cold...

 

[Arfermo]

I need to move a WBC hive down to the bottom of the garden - about 300 metres. The weather is still very mild - only one or two light frosts so far ...bees still coming out to play !
Once the winter arrives properly I plan to make the move.

Any suggestions ? - it is rather heavy !
Do I remove the roof and lifts and bung up the crown board and entrance blocks with sponge and attempt the move ? Is that the best way ?

Thanks everyone ...happy new year !

Blow it up!!!

 

[peterbees]

I suspect that when you've moved the WBC hive 300 metres you may decide it's time to change to a National hive.

 

[Heather]

Take no notice of these Neanderthal National 'stick in the muds'- it's good to diversify with different hive - I have both - always said men cannot multi-task!!

Move as I suggest and it will be piece of cake. With the lifts temporarily off it IS nearly a National - just smaller

In October I moved 5 hives 1 mile to a Nature reserve- opened hives in early evening- giving 5 minutes between each opening. None returned to original site- I checked! So the 3 mile rule not always needed. If very cold or foraging very good they wont stray from new site

 

[newbie]

thanks, everyone ... all I need is some cold weather ! Never thought I'd say that. Will let you know how I get on.

 

[newbie]

mission accomplished ! The brrrrr weather arrived at last. They were moved yesterday.

I blocked the entrance up, strapped the hive up (intact) and we used ropes slung under 2 legs per rope and lifted it gently down the garden. Once in place, I propped an old window over the entrance and stuffed some straw in the gaps at the sides, so when the big freeze is over the bees will definitely notice their entrance is different and work out how to get in and out ! I have opened the entrance a bit so they can get out, but it was still too cold today so they weren't out to play.

Thanks for all your comments !

 

[Heather]

Well done - only anti WBC's will groan and say Oh get a National- but each to their own - it aint rocket science.

 

[Silly Bee]

Take no notice of these Neanderthal National 'stick in the muds'- it's good to diversify with different hive - I have both - always said men cannot multi-task!!

Move as I suggest and it will be piece of cake. With the lifts temporarily off it IS nearly a National - just smaller

In October I moved 5 hives 1 mile to a Nature reserve- opened hives in early evening- giving 5 minutes between each opening. None returned to original site- I checked! So the 3 mile rule not always needed. If very cold or foraging very good they wont stray from new site

Oi, I have WBC's a National and an empty top bar.

 

[BBG]

I need to move a WBC hive down to the bottom of the garden - about 300 metres. The weather is still very mild - only one or two light frosts so far ...bees still coming out to play !
Once the winter arrives properly I plan to make the move.

Any suggestions ? - it is rather heavy !
Do I remove the roof and lifts and bung up the crown board and entrance blocks with sponge and attempt the move ? Is that the best way ?

Thanks everyone ...happy new year !

You're in luck.

First hives I bought 30 years ago, were 3 WBC and I had to move them 35 miles to home (you said they're heavy?) the ones I bought had three full supers on (70-ish Lbs to start) PLUS a brood and a half, lifts, roof, floor.

They were in the most beautiful valley, in the most beautiful field, attached to the most beautiful farmhouse owned by the most beautiful woman.

Fortunately, it was a woman, men do the teeth sucking, start looking for fork-lifts, cranes, other men to talk it over interminably and come back tomorrow type thing.

A cup of tea, a walk around the garden and much flirting, saw us in the field surrounded by meadow flowers, speckled with poppies, hyssop and more with hedges lined with Laburnum with two poles under the strapped down hives with lifts and roof to one side, entrance blocked with sponge.

She one end, me the other and away we went with each hive - on to trailer - lifts back on, roof back on and strapped and ready for home.

She wanted me to come back and I wanted that too - but sometimes life and responsibilities outweigh the beckonings of beekeeping Shangri-la.

Anyway! two poles or 50-ish mm by 50-ish mm - all lifts and roof off - strap down - poles under floor - one person each end -lift - walk to new site - if men are doing it - make tea X 2 and praise vigorously while cooing from time to time.

Food and or beer is always a good idea too!

 

[BBG]

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