Moving bees

[fruitloop0709]

Morning all

I need to move 5 gives approximately 80 metres. I know the best way would be to move them over 3 miles first for a week and then bring them back, but is there another way?

I know the weather is warming up, but could I wait for a few cool days and shut them in for a day or two? Maybe stuffing the entrances with grass or something?

 

[enrico]

Morning all

I need to move 5 gives approximately 80 metres. I know the best way would be to move them over 3 miles first for a week and then bring them back, but is there another way?

I know the weather is warming up, but could I wait for a few cool days and shut them in for a day or two? Maybe stuffing the entrances with grass or something?

The best time is winter when they are not flying. Missed that opportunity!

 

[fruitloop0709]

Thanks, I thought that was probably the case. I'll have a look for a temporary sure a few miles away then.

 

[enrico]

Sorry, there is no easy way if you don't do it in winter. Whatever you do now, unless you move them a couple of miles away, you will get bees returning to the original site and you don't want to deplete the hive of flying bees at this time of the year!

 

[oliver90owner]

If they are all together, you could possibly move the 4 outer ones, leaving the middle one to receive any bees returning to site. It would be good to take the other usual precautions to minimise those returning bees. That allows you to then only move the last hive - either risking losing bees or by moving it completely away for a fortnight, or more.

Every situation is unique. You need to consider yours carefully.

 

[Earthboy]

I am aware of a Youtuber who seals up the moved hive for a few days (to confuse their orientation and eventually forget) and then place grass at the entrance when he opens up the hive in two to three days for the bees to reorient themselves, thus eliminating any trip. (As we are all aware, sealing up a few days will not kill the bees)

"Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge." Carl Jung
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge." —Stephen Hawking

 

[oliver90owner]

There are more precautions than just closing up the hives. Changing orientation is one. Placing something in front of the entrance is another. It is usual that bees divert to the old site after a foraging trip. Any precautions are better than none. One needs to remember that one can lose all the foraging bees by moving the hive less than half a metre - but not by a normal ‘thinking’ beekeeper.

 

[Earthboy]

Point well taken. To avoid losing foragers, one can always place another empty hive at the original location to retrieve and join them with the rest. This joining can be done later in the evening when all the foragers are back home for the night--heading for a pub.

 

[Finman]

Individual hive cannot loose its bees, neither home bees or foragers, because they are essential for colony build up.

 

[Finman]

One needs to remember that one can lose all the foraging bees by moving the hive less than half a metre - but not by a normal ‘thinking’ beekeeper.

Oh my goodness!!!!!

You mean that you must move over half meter?

I do not trust that " normal beekeeper". Where I find such?

In beekeeping you must hope best but prepare for worst. That is a strategy.

 

[Lizbee]

November and I really want to move two hives about 100 yards to where I have two more hives. I've read the above but just wanted to be sure that the general consensus is that it is possible to move them but do I wait for a cold snap to make sure they are safely at home in a cluster. I wasn't going to close the hives up completely but maybe stuff a bit of grass in the entrance. and hope they reorientate when they emerge.

 

[Ian123]

November and I really want to move two hives about 100 yards to where I have two more hives. I've read the above but just wanted to be sure that the general consensus is that it is possible to move them but do I wait for a cold snap to make sure they are safely at home in a cluster. I wasn't going to close the hives up completely but maybe stuff a bit of grass in the entrance. and hope they reorientate when they emerge.

Wait for a proper cold snap and if your going to close them up use some foam, even in cold periods sun on the hive will result in some flying. I’d ensure they are completely confined for at least a few days, you will find a few buzzing old location but they do appear to return to the new spot.

 

[enrico]

You will be surprised how many return to the old spot but whatever you do don't put anything on the old spot, clear it of bee paraphernalia or they will cluster at the old spot and die. If there is nothing there they seem to return to the nearest hive , maybe, who knows!!! But in the scheme of things you will only lose a small minority of the hive so ..... A good cold spell and go for it. Trying to reorientate the hive to a different direction seemed to help when I did it!
It will work you just have to be brave and ignore any that buzz around the old place for a coup!e of days!