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Author Topic: Moving Hive Across Yard  (Read 3694 times)

Offline Tom K-B

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Moving Hive Across Yard
« on: May 10, 2013, 08:24:01 pm »
My wife wants to move our new hive to a location in our yard that we both agree would be better for the bees. The total distance of the move is about 30-40 feet. My suggestion is that we close up the entrance the evening before, move the hive in the morning and then open the entrance. Her plan is to move the hive about three feet per day until we get it to the location we want it in. Any recommendations about these two techniques?

Offline Georgia Boy

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2013, 08:35:09 pm »
I am new to this also so you can disregard my advice if you want.

I believe it will cause less disruption to the bees if you do the move in one move. Every time you move a hive the bees have to reorient to the new location. if you do the move in several moves they will have to reorient each time and take them away from what they need to be doing. Collecting nectar, pollen and cleaning.

If you do the move I have read you should place a branch at the entrance so when the bees come out they will reorient to the new location.

Thats my 2 cents.

Good luck.

David
« Last Edit: May 10, 2013, 09:06:35 pm by Georgia Boy »
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Moots

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2013, 08:35:44 pm »
My wife wants to move our new hive to a location in our yard that we both agree would be better for the bees. The total distance of the move is about 30-40 feet. My suggestion is that we close up the entrance the evening before, move the hive in the morning and then open the entrance. Her plan is to move the hive about three feet per day until we get it to the location we want it in. Any recommendations about these two techniques?

Close the entrance either at night, or early in the Morning before the bees are out and about.  Secure with rachet straps and move to new location.  Hang a branch, or some other obstruction over the entry way to que the bees that something has changed and they'll know to reorient to the new location.  You can remove the branch after a couple of days.

Offline alfred

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2013, 11:56:17 pm »
I second what Moots says. Just make sure that whatever you put in front of the hive makes them have to go around or push through so that they really know that something has changed. Be prepared for some confused and lost stragglers at the old location for a few days after. If you want you could put out an empty super with a lid for the stragglers to go into in the evening at the old location and then in the morning dump them into the hive. Have done this many times.

Alfred

Offline Caelansbees

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2013, 09:48:58 pm »
I do as Moots does as well.  You'll still loose a few but it happens.  I'm not one for moving stuff around more than I have to.  I often do nothing when I do.  I think there is more fuss over it than worthy sometimes.  The few you lose will find a box to go to.

Offline bailey

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2013, 11:00:39 pm »
3 feet every other daym
most often i find my greatest source of stress to be OPS  ( other peoples stupidity )

It is better to keep ones mouth shut and be thought of as a fool than to open ones mouth and in so doing remove all doubt.

Moots

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2013, 12:13:10 am »
Tom K-B,
Not sure if you're familiar with Michael Bush or not, but he's on this forum on a fairly regular basis. He's highly respected and has both a book and a ton of great information available via his website. Here's a link to his section on moving bees!

Good luck!

Offline phill

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2013, 08:30:08 am »
I'm with Moots too. I just did this, without any problem. I found just 2-3 stragglers circling around the old site the afternoon after the hive was moved; by evening they were gone, and I expect they rejoined the hive. It went much easier than I'd expected.

Offline Joe D

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2013, 12:14:04 pm »
I have caught swarms, put their new home within 6 to 8 feet from old hive, put a branch or 2 in front of entrance and they stayed where I put them.




Joe

Offline Tom K-B

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2013, 02:32:16 pm »
Thank you all for your wisdom! Moots, I really appreciate the link to Michael's page. This will be very helpful as we think about how to relocate our hive.

Sure am glad I found this forum!

Offline sweet bee

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2013, 03:31:33 pm »
I've also done it exactly as Georgia Boy and Moots suggested. I secured the hive that afternoon, went out about 10 to close the entrance and make the move. Everything worked perfectly! I even put a nuc box in the old spot. The next afternoon, I had one little bee that had come home to an empty house...I kindly escorted her to the new place  ;)

~Angie
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Moving Hive Across Yard
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2013, 10:13:56 am »
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin