Transporting colonies

[Olivia9801]

I'm in the process of moving. My new home is 230 miles away from where my apiary is at the moment and the journey takes 4hrs.

Would you say this was to long to transport hives though it would be done in early spring. I was thinking of elevating the hive off the van floor and taking the roof off and replacing it with a mesh panel for air-flow and ventilation.

I would appreciate your views.

Thank you.

 

[Sutty]

People transport them much further and longer.
My understanding is night is better unless cool, mesh floor but closed in, mesh screen on top and well strapped together.
You'll be fine.

 

[Penninetrader]

I think you already have the right plan, only to add, if you have a break in the journey a very weak sugar water spray through the mesh would not go amiss.

 

[drex]

Last year, I moved 3 colonies 360 miles in March. As you are doing with good ventilation. Frames orientated fore and aft. I stopped twice and misted them with a fine water spray. Foam in the entrance. Well strapped. All was good

 

[Amari]

In 1974, moving from Hants to Cheshire, our removal company agreed to convey my three hives in their van together with the furniture. Travel screens as above, hives strapped, no problems - the colonies survived.
I was not so lucky: the evening before the move, after a hectic day, I had to close the hive entrances - but my bee suit and gloves had been packed. No worries I thought, it's dark and all I have to do is insert the entrance blocks (I had not thought of foam strips). Now, entrance blocks don't always fit smoothly: the bees poured out and I got badly stung on my hands and face. My new colleagues-to-be had organised a welcome party two days later. They must have been horrified by meeting this strange creature with a grossly swollen face......
Motto: don't mess with bees after dark.