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. -

 

[Sutty]

Where are you and how soon do you need to move?
I'm up in the dales quite often, ironically just seen your post having left there this evening!

 

[wilvaughan18]

The block well and double strap (same orientation not crossing). If you do this the helper does not need to be a beekeeper. I have used this method to move complete hives many times, a wheelbarrow as suggested is a good idea, I have moved a very large colony on a sack truck with an additional strap to keep the hive on the trolley. I do accept that I have two 6' sons who are very useful when these challenges arrive, but ask a friend splitting at this time of year is sub optimal.

 

[Beemum]

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.


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.

thanks Eric, if the weather is kind - and today is lovely - this may well be the most feasible option, as it's something I can just get on with. I was - pleasantly - surprised by the number of bees and the early income, I treated both hives to a new queen last season and they are earning their keep in grand style already!

 

[Beemum]

Where are you and how soon do you need to move?
I'm up in the dales quite often, ironically just seen your post having left there this evening!

Thank you for the offer Sutty, I'm near Kirkby Stephen so in the Westmorland Dales. I ideally need to have the bees out of there in the next couple of weeks (I got an extra week's grace just this morning) and a local beekeeper has said he may be back from holiday in time to assist, which would be great.

 

[Beemum]

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. -

thank you Pargyle, I love the sedan chair idea - sadly the rebates on the Swienty boxes are very slightly different to the ones on timber national hives, so treating myself to a Thornes hivebarrow is a non-starter.

 

[Sutty]

Thank you for the offer Sutty, I'm near Kirkby Stephen so in the Westmorland Dales. I ideally need to have the bees out of there in the next couple of weeks (I got an extra week's grace just this morning) and a local beekeeper has said he may be back from holiday in time to assist, which would be great.

I'm away 28th to 7th, but if not done by then I might be able to help.
Hopefully your local beekeeper can assist before then.

 

[Beemum]

The block well and double strap (same orientation not crossing). If you do this the helper does not need to be a beekeeper. I have used this method to move complete hives many times, a wheelbarrow as suggested is a good idea, I have moved a very large colony on a sack truck with an additional strap to keep the hive on the trolley. I do accept that I have two 6' sons who are very useful when these challenges arrive, but ask a friend splitting at this time of year is sub optimal.

thank you Wil, my son will be 6' eventually but not quite yet...I do completely see where you and JBM are coming from, it just seemed the least worst of several options...the potential to spill bees everywhere through trying to carry the hives in one piece with a non-beek friend just seemed too alarming...but it seems help is on its way which is wonderful!

 

[Beemum]

I'm away 28th to 7th, but if not done by then I might be able to help.
Hopefully your local beekeeper can assist before then.

Thank you Sutty that is very kind and I will keep you posted - my local beekeeper is a bit nervous not having moved entire hives before, but I'll talk it through with him and see what he thinks!

 

[Sutty]

It's a very long time since I moved a hive a long way, but I did once lower a complete hive from an extension roof and away.
I got 4 lengths of angled timber (steel might be better, placed them on the vertical corners and ratchet-strapped around them. Another strap over the top & underneath made the whole thing very secure. The angles stop boxes sliding on each other.

 

[pargyle]

thank you Pargyle, I love the sedan chair idea - sadly the rebates on the Swienty boxes are very slightly different to the ones on timber national hives, so treating myself to a Thornes hivebarrow is a non-starter.

An ordinary wheel barrow will do the job - try and keep it fairly level - a couple of bin liners filled with something soft wedged either side of the hive will help and I'd put some foam rubber in the hive entrance and then some strong duct tape over the top to make sure they can't get out Good luck.

 

[Lolly Bee]

An ordinary wheel barrow will do the job - try and keep it fairly level - a couple of bin liners filled with something soft wedged either side of the hive will help and I'd put some foam rubber in the hive entrance and then some strong duct tape over the top to make sure they can't get out Good luck.

 

[Lolly Bee]

View attachment 42132View attachment 42132

Unless you can borrow something like this which I used as the sizing is good and with four wheels and no lean is easier to transport if heavy things are difficult for you.
Doesn’t he look handsome in a pink beesuit!!