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Moving bees when it's cold out?

  • 19 Nov 2022 12:11 PM
    Message # 12995762

    I've been meaning to move one of my colonies about 100 yards across the property for a couple months now, but just hadn't gotten around to doing it...

    Now, with the cold weather, and the bees mostly staying inside and presumably not foraging much, I was wondering if I might just be able to close up the entrance, carefully move the hive, and then disguise the entrance (just in case, e.g. a few branches, etc to make it look different) and open the entrance back up again.  The theory being that maybe they've been staying inside long enough that any bees that have foraged in the past may have forgotten the landscape (or just died off, if not winter bees) and would likely orient if/when they went outside the hive to forage (if they even do that when it is consistently this cold).  Plus, I figure that if they go out for hygiene flights, they probably won't go far enough from the hive to not find their way back.

    That said, this is all just theory/speculation in my part.  Anyone have any actual knowledge/data on the subject?

    Last modified: 19 Nov 2022 12:13 PM | Anonymous member
  • 20 Nov 2022 6:41 AM
    Reply # 12996081 on 12995762
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Not moving the bees has got you where you are.

    Just move them :^)

    Yes, easier in the cold. Put a ratchet strap around the hive to hold it together while you move it.

    Where are you located? I have a hive lifter......

    Prep your hive stand at the new location prior to moving so it just a simple lift.

    Last modified: 20 Nov 2022 4:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 28 Nov 2022 10:10 AM
    Reply # 13005490 on 12995762

    His is how I moved my heavy hive last year.  It was around 120 pounds.  I lifted it using a 12-foot pickers ladder and a come-a-long winch to put in in a cart then back to this concrete pad I have made for it.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/6yCqhzcztFZkd7wX7

    -Eddie

  • 29 Nov 2022 7:14 AM
    Reply # 13006617 on 12995762
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    It's a 5 min job with my hive lifter and 2 people.....

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