Moving hives sooner than I'd like

[Beemum]

Hello everyone, not been on here for a while but it's good to be back.

I need to move two hives pronto - Swienty poly each with a super (I wasn't planning on going anywhere until the Spring, but circumstances have changed). Bees have come through the winter well (so far) and there are plenty of them...they were clustered until yesterday when the sun tempted them out for a bit.

I've read on other threads about splitting the hive into its component layers using screen mesh and then reassembling it in the new location. I am nowhere near strong enough to move brood box + super together, so this seems like a reasonable way forward. But do I use travelling screens (from Thornes) strapped on top and bottom of the super, or am I right in thinking a screen on the top and then a Swienty floor on the bottom of the super would be a better, stronger idea? It's not a long journey, but it does involve crossing 200m of rough-ish terrain on foot, and then about an hour over some lovely Dales' roads...

I have also wondered about Thornes's new hive barrow (I need to send them the dimensions of the swienty boxes so they can check if the rebates are the right size to fit the barrow) but not sure I have cash for that even if it does fit.

All advice gratefully received, I'm very nervous of doing this but have no choice, so I'm looking for the best safest option, almost certainly doing one hive at a time...spending a little bit as necessary rather than more home-made options which I don't have time/expertise for just now.

Thank you.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I would not contemplate breaking up the hives at this time of year - can't you get someone to help you lift them?

 

[Beemum]

I know it is very far from ideal JBM, to reduce the weight I had wondered about temporarily taking out the frames furthest from the bees and replacing them with undrawn frames? I've had help offered (by someone who isn't a beekeeper) but I think I need to find someone who is used to handling hives or it could be a disaster...

 

[ericbeaumont]

far from ideal

As long as you choose a day & night without frost the bees will be fine. In freezing weather a disrupted nest is unlikely to be able to re-form, but as it will be double figures all next week in the Yorkshire Dales you have no need to worry. Last week I helped move 18 out of a field a distance of about 20 miles, and I can tell you it was v nippy. Bees were fine and as the new urban climate was several degrees warmer, they all came out for a look.

splitting the hive into its component layers using screen mesh and then reassembling

Take off the super, shake any bees back into the BB and strap up; leave them until late in the day to close the entrance. You may not need to replace the super, depending on weight of the BB and early income. We didn't use screens, just strapped the poly double broods+roof+OMF and went. Use a wheelbarrow for the 200m of rough ground, but take it slowly.

 

[pargyle]

Hello everyone, not been on here for a while but it's good to be back.

I need to move two hives pronto - Swienty poly each with a super (I wasn't planning on going anywhere until the Spring, but circumstances have changed). Bees have come through the winter well (so far) and there are plenty of them...they were clustered until yesterday when the sun tempted them out for a bit.

I've read on other threads about splitting the hive into its component layers using screen mesh and then reassembling it in the new location. I am nowhere near strong enough to move brood box + super together, so this seems like a reasonable way forward. But do I use travelling screens (from Thornes) strapped on top and bottom of the super, or am I right in thinking a screen on the top and then a Swienty floor on the bottom of the super would be a better, stronger idea? It's not a long journey, but it does involve crossing 200m of rough-ish terrain on foot, and then about an hour over some lovely Dales' roads...

I have also wondered about Thornes's new hive barrow (I need to send them the dimensions of the swienty boxes so they can check if the rebates are the right size to fit the barrow) but not sure I have cash for that even if it does fit.

All advice gratefully received, I'm very nervous of doing this but have no choice, so I'm looking for the best safest option, almost certainly doing one hive at a time...spending a little bit as necessary rather than more home-made options which I don't have time/expertise for just now.

Thank you.

Get someone to assist. Strap the hives up with some bits of 2" X 2" timber on top of the roof held in place by the hive straps - a bit like a beehive sedan chair. Two of you should easily then be able to lift the hives onto a wheelbarrow sat next to the hives Block up the entrance well before you start - No need to pull the boxes apart and they should be fine for a short journey in our current weather. -