Relocating

[Geoff]

I have only one hive at the moment but wish to shift to a site about 50 metres away.It is almost winter here  but a shift at this time would have the bees in a spot where they would get sunshine all day depending on the weather & they would be in a more suitable site next spring as at the moment a lot of foot traffic passes right through the flight path close to the hive.
      Would it be advisable to shift now or later when the new season starts & is 50 metres far enough from the present site ?. :roll:

[Jerrymac]

One meter is what? About one yard? So you want to move them about 150 feet?

There are a couple of ways. OK Three.

1) move them The full distance and screen them in for about 72 hours.

2) move tnem the full distance and put some obsticle in the way of the entrance, such as a log. They will then need to reorient themselves.

3) move the hive about 1/4 the distance every few days.

[Robo]

Since it is almost Winter, wait until you get a cold spell where the bees will not fly for a couple of weeks and move them then.   The sooner you can get them to the new spot where they will get more sun, the better for the winter.  Don't wait for Spring.