Author Topic: need to move hive 15-20 feet (Read 9931 times)

Hivehead · « **on:** July 03, 2008, 10:51:05 pm »

Can I close them up after dark, gently move them, let them calm down, remove the cork a few minutes later and put something in front of the entrance so when they leave the next morning things are different? whatamado?

Thanx for all the help....JOHN

sc-bee · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2008, 11:03:01 pm »

Check this out on MB's site.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmoving.htm

Jerrymac · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2008, 11:10:48 pm »

I think they can find it if you just move it 15 - 20 feet. No need to block entrance. But sure plug them up, move and unplug. AND leave. They don't fly at night but they do crawl around.

sc-bee · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2008, 03:42:54 am »

How many hi ves do you have? Tried it my first year when I had two hives, had to move them both about 15 yards because of neighbor issues. The foragers return to the old location. Boy did I have a mess and get everything out of balance :shock:!

SgtMaj · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2008, 04:22:25 am »

As long as you move it at night, there should be no need to put anything in front of the entrance to make it look different.

Robo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2008, 07:26:05 am »

Quote from: SgtMaj on July 04, 2008, 04:22:25 am

As long as you move it at night, there should be no need to put anything in front of the entrance to make it look different.

Putting an obstacle in front of the hive is not to make it look different, it is to cause them to re-orient when they they leave. As sc-bee experienced, you will have them returning to the old location. The best method would be to slowly move them a couple feet at a time over many days until they end up where you want them.

rob...

SgtMaj · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2008, 08:00:49 am »

Yeah, look different, re-orient... same thing. Do it at night and you shouldn't have to do that.

randydrivesabus · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2008, 08:04:44 am »

move it 5' per day. they are more likely to find it after they go out and try to return to the same spot. if there are other hives nearby it will be more difficult for them.

Robo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2008, 08:08:07 am »

Quote from: SgtMaj on July 04, 2008, 08:00:49 am

Yeah, look different, re-orient... same thing. Do it at night and you shouldn't have to do that.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree as my experience has shown different. Anything greater than 5 feet or less than a couple miles has caused some amount of displaced bees for me.

SgtMaj · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2008, 10:31:16 am »

Well, you are probably more right than I am.

Hivehead · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2008, 10:56:45 am »

I only have one hive, a small swarm of about 3 frames collected on 5/29. They've infested a deep so I wanted to move it b4 I added another deep. I'll let you know what I did after considering all the advice and let you know how bad I screw up or not....
Thanx again

Robo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2008, 11:04:54 am »

Quote from: Hivehead on July 04, 2008, 10:56:45 am

I'll let you know what I did after considering all the advice and let you know how bad I screw up or not....

There is no better way to learn than by experience ;) Best of Luck :-D

sc-bee · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2008, 05:16:50 pm »

If you have an alternate place to move them to for a few days ( a mile or so away) ----- do that, then move them back to where you want. A little more trouble but definitely works.

Hivehead · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2008, 09:42:52 pm »

Well, the total move was 12 feet. Moved them at night, placed a bbq real close to the front of the hive and this morning, they're buzzing round the place "it should be" and the first to find the hive are fanning out the "over here" pheromones like crazy. I know it was some of the first to find the new location because they were still wearing their pollen leg warmers.
As the day progressed, fewer and fewer were seen to hover in the old location and by about 3:00 p.m. or so all was back to normal with the exception it seems they're coming back across the old location en route to the new. Perhaps just making sure they're not delusional like they're keeper......John

annette · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:53:39 pm »

This is good information because I have to do the same thing next week. Move a hive about 20 feet.

So I will do the same thing you did, Move it at night when they are all home. First close them up. Place something different in front of the hive (like a leafy branch) before I open them up in the morning.

Wish me luck as well. I will post here how it all went.

Annette

JP · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2008, 12:45:44 am »

Quote from: sc-bee on July 05, 2008, 05:16:50 pm

If you have an alternate place to move them to for a few days ( a mile or so away) ----- do that, then move them back to where you want. A little more trouble but definitely works.

This is a great idea abeit perhaps a little more trouble but you don't have to worry about losing bees that go back to the old location.

Always use a branch or some obstacle to get the bees to reorient to the new spot if its a short distance, they are very persistant in wanting to go back to the old location, they have absolutely incredible memories.

...JP

Hivehead · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:30:22 am »

Annette, jp is definitely right. Make them wonder where the heck they are when they leave first thing in the morning. If they don't set the gyros when they leave, it will take them a few hours to get it right. Was kind of odd. After a while they would still fly to the old location, verify the hive still wasn't there and then buzz straight over to the new location. Almost like they had to go from point A to point B to then go to point C. They're certainly crazy bugs.
JOHN

JP · « **Reply #17 on:** July 06, 2008, 12:59:31 pm »

Quote from: Hivehead on July 06, 2008, 01:30:22 am

Annette, jp is definitely right. Make them wonder where the heck they are when they leave first thing in the morning. If they don't set the gyros when they leave, it will take them a few hours to get it right. Was kind of odd. After a while they would still fly to the old location, verify the hive still wasn't there and then buzz straight over to the new location. Almost like they had to go from point A to point B to then go to point C. They're certainly crazy bugs.
JOHN

Ok if you want to see incredible move a hive say 10" and watch the foragers come back to the spot 10 inches away, 10 inches!!! It takes them a while to reorient from this move as well or even one closer than that, I believe I've moved one a few inches before and they still have to orient from there. Amazing!!

...JP

Hivehead · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:54:45 pm »

I just changed the entrance restricter which is offset to one side or the other. They were coming and going toward the left, flipped it around and they were still landing toward the left and marching about 3, 4 inches to the entrance to the right. Some would butt into the cleat, buzz around and find the entrance to the right. Some kinda GPS they got.

JOHN

JP · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:38:00 pm »

Quote from: Hivehead on July 06, 2008, 09:54:45 pm

I just changed the entrance restricter which is offset to one side or the other. They were coming and going toward the left, flipped it around and they were still landing toward the left and marching about 3, 4 inches to the entrance to the right. Some would butt into the cleat, buzz around and find the entrance to the right. Some kinda GPS they got.

JOHN

Yes, incredible GPS.

...JP

annette · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2008, 12:49:53 am »

This post really makes me happy to know that it can work so easily. Tell me what time at night would be best?? Like really late when it is dark??? Or is early evening ok??

JP · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2008, 03:47:31 am »

Quote from: annette on July 07, 2008, 12:49:53 am

This post really makes me happy to know that it can work so easily. Tell me what time at night would be best?? Like really late when it is dark??? Or is early evening ok??

Right after dark or early morning before first light, or any time during the dark hours thereof.

...JP

tillie · « **Reply #22 on:** July 07, 2008, 08:49:21 am »

I had to move a hive about 5 feet last year and change the direction of the front door 180 degrees. I followed MB's advice and that of the rest of this forum and moved the hive about a foot each day, making a slight turn of the entrance each time I moved it. Every morning they awoke to branches in front of the entrance and had to reorient. The move took four days of making a slow circle, but it worked and I never saw bees returning to the old location.

Linda T in Atlanta

sc-bee · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2008, 11:42:37 am »

Depending on how far you move them --- seal up all cracks good!!! They fing wonderful spots to crawl into after dark. Just ask I know first hand :shock:!

annette · « **Reply #24 on:** July 07, 2008, 11:53:57 am »

I remember reading your blog when you were moving that hive. That situation worked great for you moving it 5feet. But I have to move it about 20 feet and that would take 20 days and they would be passing in front of my other hive which could totally confuse both hives.

I am going to try the night move.

Thanks for your input.
Annette

tillie · « **Reply #25 on:** July 07, 2008, 03:05:16 pm »

Oh, Annette, 20 feet would be definitely a night move situation - I was responding to the orientation comments in that I think when you put "stuff" in front of the entrance, you definitely get them to re-orient to the new location be it 20 feet away or a gradual circle move 5 feet/180 degrees like I did.

Linda T in Atlanta

annette · « **Reply #26 on:** July 07, 2008, 04:31:17 pm »

Yes, the branch will be very important. Thanks Linda

Annette

wayseer · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:00:46 am »

Moving bees a short distance is a good wet wether job. Rain keeps most bees at home.

annette · « **Reply #28 on:** July 09, 2008, 06:50:05 pm »

Well since we will probably not have any wet weather until next November, I guess it will be a dry job!!!! Ha!Ha!

Anyway, next week is my planned move. I have a very strong guy who can help me lift the entire hive (only 3 mediums supers) to the new spot.

I will let you all know about the move.

Annette

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #29 on:** July 09, 2008, 11:06:19 pm »

Quote from: wayseer on July 09, 2008, 07:00:46 am

Moving bees a short distance is a good wet wether job. Rain keeps most bees at home.

A wet fixed male goat? LOL I'm not the best speller or typist either but using the spell check button can prevent unintended embarrassment, although I must admit this is one of those cases where it doesn't work. I find I do that a lot too.

Weather = climate
Wether = fixed male goat
Whether = Should I or shouldn't I.

Two Bees · « **Reply #30 on:** July 14, 2008, 01:57:55 pm »

I need to move my hives about the same distance. But I was planning on doing it this winter when they are clustered.

Is winter a bad time to move your hives?

Robo · « **Reply #31 on:** July 14, 2008, 02:23:42 pm »

Quote from: Two Bees on July 14, 2008, 01:57:55 pm

I need to move my hives about the same distance. But I was planning on doing it this winter when they are clustered.

Is winter a bad time to move your hives?

Winter is an excellent time to do the move if you can wait.

rob..

Michael Bush · « **Reply #32 on:** July 20, 2008, 01:35:25 am »

If they have been confined for at least 72 hours they tend to do fine. If they were flying that day and it gets cold too fast, they might have a problem. I prefer to do it when the weather is nice enough for them to hive time to sort things out without getting caught in the cold.

SgtMaj · « **Reply #33 on:** July 25, 2008, 09:44:26 am »

I agree with Rob

limyw · « **Reply #34 on:** July 27, 2008, 01:41:49 pm »

Closed the entrance for 48 hours after moving. Make sure there is enough honey stock and screen window is cleared for good ventilation. To avoid overheat, do not place hive under direct sun light. You can place a half full disc of water inside hive for cooling purposes.

annette · « **Reply #35 on:** July 27, 2008, 05:55:26 pm »

I would like to reply with my experience this week.

I did move that hive on Tuesday around 0930PM. Early next morning around 0600AM I went up and removed the moving screen and placed some branches all over the landing board. I stood and watched for a while as the first foragers came out. Well surprise, surprise, they did not re orient at all, but walked over the branches and flew straight out with a purpose. I watched for about 1/2 hour and many, many bees just flew straight out and did not stop to look around to re orient.

Well the next day I watched them fly over the old site all day and they also flew around the new site and around my other hive.

By Thursday evening at 0700PM when I went up to see how they were doing, well it was total chaos with bees flying everywhere and clustered all over the ground in back of the hives. They looked very confused and were shaking. I felt very bad about this and expected that I might have done something very bad. I posted this situation here on the forum and many members came forth to tell me that it can take a few days before the bees find their way to the new site. Other members said that a percentage of bees may never find their way back home again.

All is well for this hive now. All the bees have found their home again and everything is calmed down.

I am sharing this information so that you will not be alarmed if this happens to you when you move your hive. I just was not expecting something like this to happen.

Take care and good luck
Annette

EasternShore · « **Reply #36 on:** July 27, 2008, 08:14:22 pm »

Annete,
Thank you so much for shareing! I'm moving 2 hives tonight due to landlord's wife thinking she will be attacked. I've tried everything to try to sway her but to no avail. She's just not going to believe anyone. Typical for someone who thinks they know EVERYTHING!
I'm so glad I can remain teachable.

Thanks to everyone!

Mark

annette · « **Reply #37 on:** July 27, 2008, 11:59:18 pm »

Good Luck Mark and let us know how it all goes.

Annette