Turning a hive

[Roola]

Hi all,
This might seem like a simple question but I don't want to mess this up. When I putmy new colony in last week I had cleared a gap in the bushes/trees for them to fly straight out, unfortunately the bees don't like tat way and fly out over the top and up the opposite direction which is where I walk to get to the hive. I want to turn the hie around and move it a foot forward so they fly straight in and I'll enter from the back. Will the flying bees find their way back inside if I did tis? It is the only hive on site at present.

Thankyou

 

[Moggs]

They will, eventually - but will get agitated. Much better to turn it in stages for minimum disruption. But don't expect them to change their journey to work - they will fly towards the forage, which of course will still be in your direction of approach!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Turn it gradually 45 degrees at a time over four days and you should be OK (although they'll probably find their way if you do it in one)

 

[oliver90owner]

although they'll probably find their way if you do it in one

That might depend on the weather. Whether or not anyone wishes to take the chance is up to them, but I would not suggest it.

 

[richardbees]

Jenkins is spot on....they'll appreciate it if you can turn in small stages but I'd have thought 90 degrees was ok

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

although they'll probably find their way if you do it in one

That might depend on the weather. Whether or not anyone wishes to take the chance is up to them, but I would not suggest it.

That's why I said probably RAB - no great shakes doing it in stages which would be my choice

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

they'll appreciate it if you can turn in small stages but I'd have thought 90 degrees was ok

I could have suggested boxing the compass by points, (11 1/4 degrees a time) / Nor' Nor' East by North, Nor' Nor' East,Nor' Nor' East by East, Nor' East by North etc.

 

[oliver90owner]

Ahhh. Was that probably will and possibly won't or possibly will but probably won't (dependent on the weather conditions, of course).

No need to take risks. Turning in stages removes nearly all the risk.

 

[richardbees]

jenkins

.....it all depends if you're on a windward tack.. and your mizzen tops aren't luffing

richard..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

jenkins

.....it all depends if you're on a windward tack.. and your mizzen tops aren't luffing

richard..

Ahh - don't do all that rag and stick nonsense - give me a nice pair of diesels any day!

 

[Moggs]

I could have suggested boxing the compass by points, (11 1/4 degrees a time) / Nor' Nor' East by North, Nor' Nor' East,Nor' Nor' East by East, Nor' East by North etc.

Phew! I'm glad you didn't...

 

[Roola]

Been giggling away reading these responses! Thankyou all, I'll do it a bit at a time!

 

[DanBee]

Is their flight path chosen to avoid obstacles or towards forage? If it is the latter, it may well change dramatically and/or repeatedly over the course of a season.

If turning a hive to facilitate inspections, you simply need to be able to stand at the back or side (frames warm way or cold way) and have space to put down roof, supers, etc. That way you don't stand in front of the entrance, whichever way it points.

 

[beeno]

Been giggling away reading these responses! Thankyou all, I'll do it a bit at a time!

Hi Roola,
Very wise. I ended up changing 90 degrees, not out of choice, and it confused them. As itma said, at the time, they need to be able to stay on the same flight path and see the new entrance which they could by luck in my case. It helps them to see other bees come out and they will fan to help the less 'mobile' bees. Some got it in one, others took a couple of weeks. Talk about exact navigational skills! They would never get lost. I watched them even having another go at flying up to where the old entrance used to be. Your way less worries for you and less worries for the bees!

 

[Dishmop]

Ahhh. Was that probably will and possibly won't or possibly will but probably won't (dependent on the weather conditions, of course).

No need to take risks. Turning in stages removes nearly all the risk.

Might be.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Been giggling away reading these responses! Thankyou all, I'll do it a bit at a time!

As the cardinal said to the altar boy

 

[For want of a better word]

It need to be said that it is far easier to turn up ( in the direction of) the prevailing wind, and not attempt a downward wind manoeuvre, or the novice may find the hive broaching and spilling all its passengers into the apiary !
Pushing the bottom board in deep will allow the hive to keep its place, especially if in a moderate to strong breeze.. Beaufort 4 or above.

Fair thee well !

 

[victor meldrew]

Existing foragers will approach the hive from a familiar direction but they are dying off daily and replaced by newbies
Move an entrance from one side of a hive to the other on the same elevation and watch the returning foragers some (almost all will approach the original entrance, then run along the alighting board to the new one. Gradually the numbers doing this lessen as time goes by, either natural wastage of work force or that plus a little relearning by the younger foragers!
VM


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