Relocating my hive

[Beagle23]

I'm passing through my third winter with my single colony of bees and making plans for the spring. I've decided that, for the sanity of my wife and neighbours, the hive just can't stay in the garden anymore.

Can anyone offer any pointers as to how I go about locating a new site for the hive? I really don't know where to start with this.

Thanks

 

[Anduril]

I'm passing through my third winter with my single colony of bees and making plans for the spring. I've decided that, for the sanity of my wife and neighbours, the hive just can't stay in the garden anymore.

Can anyone offer any pointers as to how I go about locating a new site for the hive? I really don't know where to start with this.

Thanks

Any farmland or large private land near you? This is the route to go down.

 

[Beagle23]

Yes there is. Are you suggesting approaching a farmer and asking if I can use their land?

 

[Anduril]

Yes there is. Are you suggesting approaching a farmer and asking if I can use their land?

Yes I am. 1lb of honey per hive as rent.

 

[Blunt Spike]

Why exactly do you need to move? Staying put with some alterations may be a better option.

 

[Beagle23]

Why exactly do you need to move? Staying put with some alterations may be a better option.

I would like to keep them in place, but my wife has had some unpleasant encounters, bees getting caught in her hair, stinging her whilst hanging the washing etc, and now she's terrified of them and she can't enjoy the garden. Also one of my neighbours has small kids and they were terrified of the swarm that emerged from my hive last June, fortunately I was there to manage things but I'm going to be away with work more this year and I don't want to risk any incidents if I'm not there.

 

[Blunt Spike]

Could you fence them? A 6 foot fence means they would climb 6 feet before flying over your garden. People do this for their bins why not bees? The swarming is more of a problem, however im sure if you got to know your local bee association someone would for perhaps a bottle or two of wine check for queen cells etc.

 

[Beagle23]

Could you fence them? A 6 foot fence means they would climb 6 feet before flying over your garden. People do this for their bins why not bees? The swarming is more of a problem, however im sure if you got to know your local bee association someone would for perhaps a bottle or two of wine check for queen cells etc.

They have to move I'm afraid, either I relocate them or I no longer keep bees.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I no longer keep bees.

Sounds like the best option if your not going to be around much.

 

[Beagle23]

Sounds like the best option if your not going to be around much.

I'll be around enough to carry out all the usual inspections

 

[Hivemaker.]

I'll be around enough to carry out all the usual inspections

Just going by this.....

I'm going to be away with work more this year and I don't want to risk any incidents if I'm not there.

 

[MartinL]

Yes there is. Are you suggesting approaching a farmer and asking if I can use their land?

Farms,
Orchards,
Allotments,
Big Houses,
National Trust,
English Heritage,
Water Mills,
Educational institutions,
Hospitals??????

Anyone with space for a hive that may benefit from your presence!

 

[Poly Hive]

It is really a matter of leg work and using the dreaded KISS principle.

Yes, you might get a yes from an institution, thinking Hospital or Hotel here but you are immediately involved with bureaucratic layers.

Farmers are far simpler to deal with. You go and find a suitable spot. Usual factors to consider are:

Access. Security. Bee Fodder. Water and so on.

Then find the landowner and ask if you can put a hive "There" don't ask in a vague way specify where you want the bees to be. He will say yes, no bother, or no not there because... and he may offer an alternative or just say no. So apart from a bit of time, no loss and move on.

I have been refused once in near 30 years now so the odds are in your favour if you do your homework.

PH

 

[Ely]

Once you have found somewhere, think about expanding so that you have at least 2 colonies. If your single hive becomes queenless or worse, doesn't make it through the winter you may be left without the means to produce more colonies or queens.

 

[Beagle23]

Thanks fellas.

I'm certainly considering a second hive once I feel a bit more established.

 

[Stiffy]

An ad in a free paper works well, I found a site using this method.
Recently though having to tell people that at present I don't need anymore sites but keep their details for future use, if needed.
S

 

[enrico]

Posh hotel orchard. I had one in hampshire. They bought all my honey and gave it away to special guests for breakfast as their own honey. Would even take a frame occasionally for guests to spoon it off.
Big money!

 

[fatshark]

Google maps to find a suitable location then approach the farmer and suggest "the corner of the big field" or whatever. Much, much better than doing it the other way round. Helps if you know something of the local area.

You've saved them the problem of thinking up a suitable spot and you've chosen one that has the necessary access, shelter, forage for you.

If you're in a high-res Google mapped area you can find most of the other local beekeeper's hives as well ... a characteristic row of pale pixels in field margins etc.