I Moved a HIVE a Short Distance, Here's What Happened!

[@rtxhoneybees]

It would have been nice if you gave us a final look at the old location. We don't know if those bees flew back or not. As someone said below it is good to have the bees spend at least one day and one night in the new location before you release them. But only do this if it is not too hot and you have given them plenty of ventilation.

[@HoneyTopBees]

I wish I had thought about videoing that. Good point. I did check and after I gathered them back into the nuc box that one time, there were no more bees there the next day.

[@Manuherikiabeekeeping]

Hi from southern New Zealand 👋 the method i use is the three day lock up technique, move the colony in the evening and stuff the entrance, leave them closed for at least two days then in the evening open the entrance in the new location. The bees orientation memory resets after two days of no flying, they will reorient to the new location. Im doing a short move this weekend of two colonies myself 😂 and this is how ill do it, fortunately we are forecast to have very wet and cold weather which makes it easier😃👋

[@HoneyTopBees]

I really appreciate your input! The three-day lock-up technique is a great tip, and I hope your colonies settle in well after the move!

[@WebberAerialImaging]

I usually just stuff the entrance with grass. By the time the bees clean it out, they've decided that something has changed and reorient pretty quickly. I've done it often in my yard.

[@HoneyTopBees]

Thank you for sharing your method! It’s always helpful to hear different approaches to moving hives. I appreciate your insight!

[@ea32da32]

I have to move 1 hive 40 ft. It’s winter and they remain inside unless it warms above 60*. How much grass do you shove in the entrance and would it be best to move them at dusk?

[@HoneyTopBees]

@@ea32da32 hi, I'm not sure where you live , but generally, moving hives in the winter is much easier than any other season. Especially if you're in a cold snap. The bees may not come out at all during those days. This makes it ideal for moving the hive. So yes I would recommend that you wait until evening so that all the bees are back in the hive. Stuff the entrance or close it off. Some other way. Move the hive. And then let them out in 2 or 3 days. Or a fuse grass? They'll slowly start to pick it apart and open the hive themselves. Again, not knowing where you live and whether you can get fresh grass makes a difference. Where I'm at the dead grass will be too easy for the bees to remove from the entrance at this time of year

[@ea32da32]

@ thank you 😊. I’m in NE Texas. We still have fresh grass and I seed winter rye and both clovers. I’m building new systems to hold multiple hives in full sunlight at the bottom of my hill backed by wind protecting tree line. The spot where the current hive is located is a good spot but this will raise it another 6” and provide a place to set supers and materials down besides laying them on the ground. We got 25# honey last September and it tastes like American Beautyberry. We are blessed to have it everywhere.

[@richardhyatt-beekeeping]

Red looks like black to bees, I'm told. Think big black bear!

[@charlesmaurer6214]

Not a bad hack, I think I would have placed the nuc box out sooner though it might have collected more. If they did bring resources to the nuc box I wonder if they made any effort to begin to build it up in the few days before they abandoned it. Making it a fair starter for either a trap or a split? I have considered beekeeping a few times and enjoy learning. On a small lot myself so it could be useful if I need to shift locations someday if I ever actually do get going. Would only want 2-3 hives though and only have a couple places I thought of using, one in front and the other in back of the house.

[@HoneyTopBees]

It's definitely a technique you can try if you decide to keep bees!

[@Jerrygrows]

Thank you for this experiment. I will be trying this in spring. I only have 1 hive and plan on splitting the daylights out of it but I only have 1 small area to put my bees

[@HoneyTopBees]

I'm glad you found the experiment helpful! Splitting your hive can be a great way to boost your bee population. Best of luck with your spring plans!

[@Ooo-vz3jd]

When you move the hive like you did would've helped if you closed the entrance with a piece of rolled screen for 2 days. Then opened the hive early morning or after dark.

[@HoneyTopBees]

Yes, I agree, that's a way to improve the rate of success. For this video, I wanted to experiment to see how many went back if I just moved it.