Beekeeping is about more than just wearing a netted hat and moving slowly among the clover. The bee populations around the world are in serious jeopardy. Unless keepers learn to do a proper beehive relocation, then splitting or moving hives can result in another million bees lost, which for many new keepers also means less honey in the world.
It is a good idea to move a hive when most or all of the bees are inside. It is completely acceptable to cover the entrance while moving, and leave to a little group of twigs and leaves covering the entrance once the move is done. When they realize their opening is blocked, they should automatically do their own reorientation within the hive, moving this process cautiously out without getting lost.
If the keeper fails to keep the bees in the hive, they may spill out the opening by the thousands. A move of even a few feet may cause them to fly in a panic, whizzing about trying to find their home once more. They are much more likely to swarm and sting at this time, and if they find the wrong hive an ugly fight to the death can ensue.
Do not fret if some bees fail at this process. If you see a small bunch or swarm still hovering around the prior location, place an empty nucleus box at their old home site. Those bees still confused will find their way into it by nightfall, then you simply close the lid and move the poor darlings to their old abode so they can restart reorientation.
It might be best to move your little dears during the winter months. When the temperature dips below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, they tend to stay safe and snug indoors. You might be able to get them all moved and set up anew without a single one of them being out and about, which can prevent the loss of the precious foragers of their colony.
In addition, their hives are more delicate in the warmer weather, and can come unattached from the sides of their box if jostled too hard. Also, the newer the colony, the more delicate their hive may be. So, avoid moving a young colony during the hottest time of the year, and you will have automatically increased your likelihood of success.
Whether it is a winter afternoon or a summer morning at 5:00 AM, ventilation holes are more than just a good common-sense notion. Too small for them to escape, but large enough for the entire colony to breath is the idea. This is especially true if the move is going to be a long distance, as this just might involve shaking the box up during transit.
The more your box is cushioned during the move the less agitated they will become. Keep spraying water in and around the ventilation holes, and keep your air conditioning turned on frigid if you can. This will help to keep your bees keep cool, calm, and alive during their journey.
It is a good idea to move a hive when most or all of the bees are inside. It is completely acceptable to cover the entrance while moving, and leave to a little group of twigs and leaves covering the entrance once the move is done. When they realize their opening is blocked, they should automatically do their own reorientation within the hive, moving this process cautiously out without getting lost.
If the keeper fails to keep the bees in the hive, they may spill out the opening by the thousands. A move of even a few feet may cause them to fly in a panic, whizzing about trying to find their home once more. They are much more likely to swarm and sting at this time, and if they find the wrong hive an ugly fight to the death can ensue.
Do not fret if some bees fail at this process. If you see a small bunch or swarm still hovering around the prior location, place an empty nucleus box at their old home site. Those bees still confused will find their way into it by nightfall, then you simply close the lid and move the poor darlings to their old abode so they can restart reorientation.
It might be best to move your little dears during the winter months. When the temperature dips below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, they tend to stay safe and snug indoors. You might be able to get them all moved and set up anew without a single one of them being out and about, which can prevent the loss of the precious foragers of their colony.
In addition, their hives are more delicate in the warmer weather, and can come unattached from the sides of their box if jostled too hard. Also, the newer the colony, the more delicate their hive may be. So, avoid moving a young colony during the hottest time of the year, and you will have automatically increased your likelihood of success.
Whether it is a winter afternoon or a summer morning at 5:00 AM, ventilation holes are more than just a good common-sense notion. Too small for them to escape, but large enough for the entire colony to breath is the idea. This is especially true if the move is going to be a long distance, as this just might involve shaking the box up during transit.
The more your box is cushioned during the move the less agitated they will become. Keep spraying water in and around the ventilation holes, and keep your air conditioning turned on frigid if you can. This will help to keep your bees keep cool, calm, and alive during their journey.
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