Moving Hives

[Cedar]

Hi all, We have 2 hives of our own plus 2 hives belonging to my Father all currently at my Fathers apiary.

We have nearly finished building our apiary in our garden so will be moving the hives both ours and my dads to us.

Should we move each hive individually, say 1 day apart or can we move all 4 at the same time.

We are worried about the bees going to the wrong hive as they will be situated closer together than they are at the moment.

My Dads 2 are painted and ours are natural linseed oil treated. Or should we just put some distinguishing marker near each hive.

Thanks

 

[richardbees]

Interesting question, Cedar!

I'd move them all at dusk after restricting the entrances and then blocking the remaining gap with dead grass....

The interruption next day of not being able to freely leave makes the bees re-learn where the entrance is.

 

[Black Comb]

I would move all 4 together if you can. Bees will stay with their own hive.

Are you moving them more than 3 miles?

I find moving hives very early in the morn the best as when you get to the new site you can see what you are doing.
Need to block them in before dawn if poss.

 

[Cedar]

Yes we are more than 3 miles we are moving dads hives as well so he can revamp his apiary and reposition his hives. one thing has occured to me if we dont get his apiary sorted before they go to bed for the winter will we be able to move them back while they in winter mode. he is awaiting a heart bypass so we are doing the heavy work at the moment and after it will be three months before his allowed to lift.
Thanks

 

[Black Comb]

If you are moving more than 3 miles per time you can move them anytime but in winter be careful if it's really cold as you do not want to split the cluster.

 

[oliver90owner]

As above, or how the logistics pan out. Your choice entirely.

If on OMFs it makes it easier. An entrance block fitted late at night is easy, and no need for a really early start!

If distance is an issue, leave hives on the original site so bees can return if they get lost.

Number of trips might be important, you don't give too much indication on distance or transport.

Maybe turn hives so they are at different angles initially if close together, if worried about drifting, but I wouldn' worry abou it. Bees will find a home.

Sounds like a walk in the park to me. Travel screens if any distance, unless on OMFs.

RAB

 

[Cedar]

They are all on OMF ist just over 4 miles as the crow flys (Bee flys) about 7 miles by road we have the capasity to move all four in one go, we were going to remove crown board and roof and put a mesh top on the hive to stop over heating while in transit.Thanks

 

[richardbees]

Cedar, if they're OMF there's no need for mesh top.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Should we move each hive individually, say 1 day apart or can we move all 4 at the same time.

We are worried about the bees going to the wrong hive as they will be situated closer together than they are at the moment.

My Dads 2 are painted and ours are natural linseed oil treated. Or should we just put some distinguishing marker near each hive.

Thanks

We move anything from up to 30 to 50 hives at a time to various locations/crops...ie rape,heather, as do many others,some even more, and the hives all look much the same, and no problems.

 

[BBG]

Cedar, if they're OMF there's no need for mesh top.

DEPENDENT on the temperature at time of transporting.

IF warm - use travelling screen and OMF

 

[Black Comb]

7 miles by road with OMF's shouldn't need mesh tops.
Rab is right, its easier to block them in night before but I assumed that as they were a distance away you would not want to make a trip at night just to do this.

 

[Cedar]

we were hoping to to plug entrance after dark and move to new apiary and unplug so when they come out in morning they are in there new home.