Moving Hives before spring

[TheLondonBeeKeeper]

Hi

I have two hives that I want to move to a new location for the coming season.

Some facts:
It’s coming to the end of Jan now.
The site is 1.9 miles away.
National hives

After doing a bit of research I think I’m going to move the hives in the first couple of weeks in Feb. I’m going to move them straight to the new site because bees in winter don’t fly as far so won’t recognise the area and will act as they would if they where moved over 3 miles in summer.
I would move the hive in the evening after dark.


Does any one have an issues with this procedure?

 

[Finman]

2 miles is enough that bees do not come to old place.

After dark? In darknes.

It depends temperature, when bees stop flying. Put all ready, and when bees stop, shut the entrance and start moving when you have light
I do not move hives in darknes. Anything can happen.

 

[For want of a better word]

2 miles is enough that bees do not come to old place.

After dark? In darknes.

It depends temperature, when bees stop flying. Put all ready, and when bees stop, shut the entrance and start moving when you have light
I do not move hives in darknes. Anything can happen.

Too true..... moped muggers and all that!

Nos da

 

[Anduril]

No issues at all. I've moved hives in the dark.

 

[enrico]

Or close them up at night and move them in the morning.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Or close them up at night and move them in the morning.

Far too sensible.

 

[Finman]

No issues at all. I've moved hives in the dark.

I prefer to sleep at night and I start to move hives after 10 aclock. I put a nuc to catch the bees which are out. Or leave one super to catch foragers.

 

[drex]

Or close them up at night and move them in the morning.

Totally agree. Why make life more difficult than it already is?

 

[Anduril]

I prefer to sleep at night and I start to move hives after 10 aclock. I put a nuc to catch the bees which are out. Or leave one super to catch foragers.

So do I, but I am not retired and do not have that luxurious leisure time. In work for 4am, so the bees would be boxed up until the afternoon.

 

[Finman]

So do I, but I am not retired and do not have that luxurious leisure time. In work for 4am, so the bees would be boxed up until the afternoon.

When I was at work, I moved hives at weekend. So I have done 40 years. 15 years I moved hives at dark. Nothing good to say about that.

I move alone 100 kg weighing hives. They cannot be moved at dark.

I split the hive, and I move box by box to carry. And in destination to oppodite direction. Hives have often 6-7 boxes.

 

[Anduril]

When I was at work, I moved hives at weekend. So I have done 40 years. 15 years I moved hives at dark. Nothing good to say about that.

I move alone 100 kg weighing hives. They cannot be moved at dark.

I split the hive, and I move box by box to carry. And in destination to oppodite direction. Hives have often 6-7 boxes.

There are times when the luxury of leaving the moving of hives until the weekend is ergonomic.

 

[Finman]

There are times when the luxury of leaving the moving of hives until the weekend is ergonomic.

I live 150 km away from hives. It is luxury to drive car 300 km. No sense to move hives in darkness.
.

 

[enrico]

If you are going to move them at night then give them time to settle. If you release them and they fly they will have nothing to guide them back to their hive. I would release them on your way to work at 4 am!!
E

 

[Finman]

.
When you have moved the hive, do not inspect it during next few days.
It takes several days, that bees locate the new site of hive. Then then can fly directly to home during inspection.