The Big Move!

[MartinL]

OK, so I've had hives on the flat roof (here in Warwickshire) for over 6 years now & It's time to move them.

Building work has reached the point that they can no-longer remain.


My plan has always been to move them "next season"! But this can't be put off any longer...….
SQMBO has spoken!

So what to do?

• 
  Access is via a ladder.

• 
  A "temporary sloping roof is already in place over the old flat roof & hive.

• It's a strong Colony.

• Fairly well tempered.

• My other 2 sites are <1/2 Km from the existing location.

Plan was to split them into nucs & move one (Q+)3miles away, the other (Q-) up to the allotment @ 4-500M. Then add the supers to one of the full colonies on the Allotment.

Issue for the safety Elf, is going to be safely negotiating the ladder!


Any thoughts/observations or similar experiences??

 

[birdsandbees]

Erm, sounds like fun!

What if you Ratchet strap the hive together, create a ramp (something like a sturdy Scaffold board) and gently lower the hive down the slope from above with another strap or strong rope?

You could split before hand as suggested to reduce weight but in either case being close to home I'd probably shut in for a day or two and use the bushy branch method to get them to re-orientate when you open them up.

 

[Anduril]

Erm, sounds like fun!

What if you Ratchet strap the hive together, create a ramp (something like a sturdy Scaffold board) and gently lower the hive down the slope from above with another strap or strong rope?

You could split before hand as suggested to reduce weight but in either case being close to home I'd probably shut in for a day or two and use the bushy branch method to get them to re-orientate when you open them up.

Or floor boards joined together with panels attached to the sides just in case hive slides off the board, with side panels they act as guide rails. One thing I wouldn't like to see is hive sliding off and hitting a wall and angry bees pouring out.

 

[iann41]

I'd lower the nucs/hive down at the end of a rope.

Ratchet strap the hive minus the supers. (use 2 crossways)

put it onto a 18mm plywood board or a couple of battens

Tie it all up like a parcel with rope and lower away using the ladder as a guide.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[iann41]

or hire a helicopter

 

[Show me the honey]

If there is building work going on my chance they have a mobile tower there? Could put you at a height that you could move the hives to edge of roof then on to platform, then use hop up to get them to ground. And you can have toe boards and hand rails and all that other elf a safety stuff you like then

If a ladder is the only option then they are just for access. I seen someone come off a ladder it’s not the best way to hit the ground

 

[Curly green fingers]

If there is building work going on my chance they have a mobile tower there? Could put you at a height that you could move the hives to edge of roof then on to platform, then use hop up to get them to ground. And you can have toe boards and hand rails and all that other elf a safety stuff you like then

If a ladder is the only option then they are just for access. I seen someone come off a ladder it’s not the best way to hit the ground

Working ladders Don't forget three points of contact!
I hope it all goes well Martin.

 

[MartinL]

Working ladders Don't forget three points of contact!
I hope it all goes well Martin.

I think Fred Dibner would have objected but, safety Elf gives concession for Thatchers alone to work from Ladders, so good job this is just a hobby!

I reckon It should be manageable to carry nucs down the ladder on forearms, (sliding hands down the outside of ladder). supers will be emptied & frames bagged before lowering on rope (I think)?

Need to do it during the week when neighbours are out.
I'm very interested to see how many bees return to the empty box I'll be leaving in the old spot.

I wonder what's the likelihood of a swarm being attracted to the empty box and having to do it all over again???

 

[Millet]

Shame you where not nearer as i have the perfect solution..a few scaffold tubes and fitting and a hoist is all you need to lower the full hive down onto a boagy or some other wheeled object..

 

[Dadnlad]

I'd lower the nucs/hive down at the end of a rope.

Ratchet strap the hive minus the supers. (use 2 crossways)

put it onto a 18mm plywood board or a couple of battens

Tie it all up like a parcel with rope and lower away using the ladder as a guide.

What could possibly go wrong?

Once you are on the roof you could lengthen the ladder and reduce its pitch, run a scaffold board up the rungs and slide the hive down the board, taking the weight from the roof on a rope ?

 

[Ian123]

Would suggest finding suitable mugs...........or even helpers from association who you can make stand at the bottom of the ladder!!!!
could be a new bbka dropped/shook swarm method as they hit the deck

 

[MartinL]

New Queens introduced to 2 nucs on Thursday.

Time to have a little peek v-soon!