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Moving Bee Hives to a new location.
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Posted by sinjin Maryland (My Page) on Wed, Jun 4, 08 at 13:50
| My grandfather was a bee keeper and had 13 Bee hives. He regretfully passed away recently. I have taken over care for his bees. I live approximately 1/2 a mile from his farm. I live in on The Eastern Shore of Maryland. My question is I want to move the bee hives over to my house so I can tend to them. I dont know if there is a certain time of the year that they can be moved. My fear is that I will move the hives and they will attempt to return to where they were.
Any Sgguestions......
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Moving Bee Hives to a new location.
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| If you're able to leave them (and continue working them, there), that's what I'd do for now. I'm not sure when your main honey flow is, but I'd guess the hives are heavy (or will be shortly) with the surplus honey you want. Generally, to answer your question, I'd say the best time to move them is during the late Winter or early, early Spring - the bees aren't flying; the population is the lowest and most of the heavy honey (food) stores have been consumed. Plus, you may find it to your advantage to combine hives if you have any 'dead outs' from the Winter at that point. You are right to be concerned about loosing the field forager population if you try and move them now. The problem is your distance - too great to move the hives, little by little and not great enough distance to move them without the bees re-orienting to their old location. |
RE: Moving Bee Hives to a new location.
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| Thank You Txbeeguy. I will take your advice and wait until the late winter. |
RE: Moving Bee Hives to a new location.
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| You can move beehives anytime. Place a leafy branch across the entrance after the move to force the bees to re-orient to the new location. Migratory beekeepers don't have the luxury of waiting. I move my hives as necessary. |
RE: Moving Bee Hives to a new location.
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| a;though its true you can move them any time - remember to wait until well after dark so you know everyone is inside and net them so no one leaves until they are at their new location they won't return to an old location like a dog or cat bees are extremely intelligent, when their outside landmarks are "wrong" they will re-orient its after the fact now - but someone else might need help for the future... right before bloom starts is a good time...lowest weight, but the bees will be cranky (dearth) |
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