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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.
Performing the move should be set for a time when the little darlings are at home. Being confined in the hive during a move will cause them to become agitated, but it should not cause them to swarm in a panic. The trick is, before reopening their lair, you want to make sure to block the door with some sticks or twigs.
If the keeper fails to allow the bees this time to reestablish their location, they can become lost for quite some time. They will flood out of the hive and frantically buzz about in a circular or figure-eight type of pattern, frantically trying to find their way. If they are out of the hive at the time it is moved, their circular pattern may bring them to a different hive, and that can only spell trouble.
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.
Like humans, bees can get quite cranky during cold months, and they prefer to stay indoors if it falls below 50 degrees F. For this reason, moving them during a pleasant, but frigid winter day might be ideal. You will still want to place the sticks in front of the hive after it is opened up again, however, just to make sure they go through their normal process.
Cold months are also a better time due to the stability of the hive the bees have created. The younger the crew or the hotter the temperature, the more delicate their hive may be. Destruction of their delicate new construction can be devastating to the colony, so waiting until it is cold out, and their construction is rigid and well attached is key.
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.
Performing the move should be set for a time when the little darlings are at home. Being confined in the hive during a move will cause them to become agitated, but it should not cause them to swarm in a panic. The trick is, before reopening their lair, you want to make sure to block the door with some sticks or twigs.
If the keeper fails to allow the bees this time to reestablish their location, they can become lost for quite some time. They will flood out of the hive and frantically buzz about in a circular or figure-eight type of pattern, frantically trying to find their way. If they are out of the hive at the time it is moved, their circular pattern may bring them to a different hive, and that can only spell trouble.
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.
Like humans, bees can get quite cranky during cold months, and they prefer to stay indoors if it falls below 50 degrees F. For this reason, moving them during a pleasant, but frigid winter day might be ideal. You will still want to place the sticks in front of the hive after it is opened up again, however, just to make sure they go through their normal process.
Cold months are also a better time due to the stability of the hive the bees have created. The younger the crew or the hotter the temperature, the more delicate their hive may be. Destruction of their delicate new construction can be devastating to the colony, so waiting until it is cold out, and their construction is rigid and well attached is key.
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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You can find a detailed list of the benefits you get when you use beehive relocation services at http://www.beelievehawaii.com/beeremoval right now.
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