Uniting two colonies 15 feet apart

[The Riviera Kid]

I have acquired a small Q- nuc with not very many bees in it - maybe a frame full. It sits about fifteen feet away from the colony most suited to unification.

If I simply unite them as they stand, I am concerned that the nuc bees will simply fly back to where their nuc was. But I don't want to have to go over there five times or so (it's an eight mile round trip) to edge the nuc 3 feet closer...

I want to get the Q- nuc united as quickly as possible. I was thinking about opening the target hive, spraying them with warm minty sugar solution, tipping all the Q- bees straight in, then spraying again.

Would that work? Or will they fight and the nuc bees return to their former site?

The reason why all this came about was that I got a call from another beek about a week ago who has been banned from keeping bees after being stung badly in summer. He'd hoped to be OK by autumn but his GP said no. So he needed rid of a collection of nucs, some Q+ some Q-. Most are all now being united with each other, have been given other homes, or have got feeders on and I'm left with this little Q- nuc. It seems cruel to just let them fizzle out so any suggestions about the best way to get them united quickly is appreciated.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If you unite using the paper method - move the Q- nuc to the location of the Q+ hive - put the Q- nuc on top so they have to go through the paper to get outside - they should re-orientate then

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Thanks. Will do that tonight.

 

[Travelator]

I agree - just go ahead and unite with the paper method, it gives them a better chance than being left to dwindle. Most bees that return to the original site will eventually drift into a nearby hive.

Only circumstances under which I might *not* do this would be if there were other colonies in the apiary that didn't belong to me, in which case the owners might not be happy about me encouraging strange bees to drift into their hives.

 

[The Riviera Kid]

It's ok. the colonies are all my responsibility. i have united them tonight and hopefully that will be my last night blundering around in the woods with a red head torch on for this autumn

I reckon the locals must think that there is some pagan rituals going on up there in the dead of night with all the flashing coloured lights and comings and goings

 

[For want of a better word]

It's ok. the colonies are all my responsibility. i have united them tonight and hopefully that will be my last night blundering around in the woods with a red head torch on for this autumn

I reckon the locals must think that there is some pagan rituals going on up there in the dead of night with all the flashing coloured lights and comings and goings

Sounds like the Kit Hill Group...... do you use a RED light for your nightly fumblings?

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Yes, I use red. The bees don't react to it. I don't think the can see red light. I made the mistake once of opening a hive and shining a bright white LED head torch in.... never again!!

 

[itma]

I think Icanhopit's point might have been that in Cornwall a red light indicates dog 'activity' rather than bee-ing.
And of course, down there, white torches are principally used for wrecking ...


Out of idle curiosity, where might one find a red head-torch? Or is it necessary to repurpose a bicycle rear light?

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Oh!!! Right!! I see what you mean!! Those Cornish folks eh? with their strange country ways

Re: red torches, I bought one from Littlewoods catalogue years ago. You can find them still.

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Advanced-Outdoor-Weatherproof-Torch-Vision/dp/B00426Z66G[/ame]




But shop around. I also use bike lights from Poundland. I clip one to the side of the box to "floodlight" the area where I'm working.

 

[Poly Hive]

Many dogs use red lights on their collars. Helps owners keep an eye.

PH

 

[The Riviera Kid]

Many dogs use red lights on their collars. Helps owners keep an eye.

PH

So that's what they were talking about...