Moving Hives

Paul Kelly, research and apiary manager, and David Stotesbury, research and apiary assistant, shows how to move honey bee hives.
Frequently asked questions: hbrc.ca/faq/
A descriptive transcript is available here: www.uoguelph.c...
For more videos, check out the University of Guelph's Honey Bee Research Centre youtube channel at this link:
/ @uoghoneybeeresearchce...
For more work by David Borish Visuals, check out:
www.davidborish...
We would like to thank Québec beekeepers Marie-Hélène Majeau and Susan Kennerknecht for translating our videos into French. We are very grateful for their help with this project. (To view translation, click on settings then subtitles)
Nous aimerions remercier deux apicultrices du Québec, Marie-Hélène Majeau et Susan Kennerknecht pour la traduction de ces vidéos en français. Nous leur en sommes très reconnaissants. (Pour accéder à la traduction française, sélectionnez paramètres et ensuite sous-titres)

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Thank you to everyone for watching and supporting our videos! If you have any questions about our videos, please check out our list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on our website, which can be found at honeybee.uoguelph.ca/videos/frequently-asked-questions/

[@stephendawes7016]

tried link to FAQ section but got error statement it does not exist

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

@@stephendawes7016 Thank for the heads up Stephen. I'll look into this and get it sorted. In the meantime I'll try to send you a link.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

try this hbrc.ca/faq/

[@stuckinbabylon186]

These videos are great. I've been keeping bees for about 10 years and I love watching how your operation works. I'm in north central California. Thanks for your time to film ect.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

You are welcome Randy. Thanks for the feedback!

[@3boysbees]

You have put together a great work and we look forward to meeting in Tennessee. Thanks for your help.

[@victor35814]

So when is the time to open the hive, right after putting them in place or in the morning?

[@ivansince91]

Perfect, once again thank you so much.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

You're very welcome! Thanks for your kind comment.

[@ivansince91]

@@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre Welcome! !

[@jasonseaward8506]

When you put the 2nd box on (im assuming this is to give them space for ventilation so that they dont overheat) do you put the frames in as well or do you lrave the 2nd box empty? My 2nd question is: how long do you wait once you've placed the hive in its location do you release them?

[@danielmoloney7794]

Hi there, i need to move an existing hive to a location some 15 meters within my garden. Could you please advise? I understand i may need to take the hive to a remote location for a period of time and then bring them back to the new spot in my garden. Your instructions have been invaluable to me so far , thanks for that. But I need to clarify the best way to achieve this 15 meter move!

[@kamdenmcleanmovies]

1 foot at a time

[@johnnogueras3250]

Help please, I'm moving a swarm trap across my yard. It's a solid tall box with 5 frames and a lot of bees. I closed them up last night with 2 disc entrances set with the vents open. They are only 1 inch holes with small openings for ventilation. It will be close to 100 degrees out today. Can I still leave them closed in like this for 24 hours and open them up tomorrow morning? I don't want them to overheat but I do want them to reorientate so they don't go back to the other side of my yard. Thanks in advance.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Think about overheating vs orienting. It is very easy to overheat and kill hives. It's likely too late but give the bees plenty of ventilation next time. Cheers.

[@johnnogueras3250]

@@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre thank you, unfortunately it was a mess. I opened it up in the middle of the day, didn't wait 24 hours, and maybe salvaged them, but not all. Hard lesson learned 😥

[@jme5970]

Can you do it during the day if it's raining?

[@TheRainHarvester]

Can a dolly be used to move hives 300 feet after a trip to the destination? Or would the tilt of the dolly be bad while going over terrain? I'll use a dolly with pneumatic (air-filled) tires.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hives bump around quite a bit on dollies and it gets the bees pretty worked up.

[@natserog]

awesome videos!! question: If I am doing a split and need to move new split 2 miles away. How many days do I have to wait to bring the bees back to the original location?? thanks!!--stan

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Good question Stan. Since bees live an average of 6 weeks during the active seasons you could wait that long before moving the colony back. Thanks for your feedback.

[@natserog]

oh ok....i was hoping you would say 3 days. :)

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Maybe you are better off adding extra bees and leaving the split in the original yard. It's probably not worth the effort to acquire it for1 split but the Tempqueen pheromone strip we use in our mini nucs ( see Mini Nuc video) is great for holding bees in splits kept in the original yard.

[@426superbee4]

Why would you move them? Then back to original location? tell ya, rite now> NO ONE KNOW THAT ANSWER! only answer i can give ya, what in the box is all your going to have! Cause there scatter across the country Unless you set boxes at the old location bring them back to there new location and that only about half of em. REST OF THEM GOT LOST

[@PaulDrummer1]

Hi, thank you for the video. I just dont understand, that while unloading you mention, that the bees might go after you, and you need to protect yourself, but aren't you closing up the entrances while transporting? I usually fully close up the entrance in the evening so that they can't get out, then I move them to the required location, wait till the first sun comes out and open up the hive entrance. Isn't this what you do too?

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi Paulius We don't close the entrances. This way they can never overheat. If you are moving strong hives in warm temperatures you need to provide lots of ventilation. This can of course be done with screen but in our climate it often means screening the whole top of the hive ( hive cover removed) and any entrances. I find it easier and safer for the bees to leave the entrances wide open. This is how millions of hives are moved to pollination here in North America.

[@PaulDrummer1]

Yes I do it in night too, but I close the hive entrance for safety, so that they don’t fly out while driving or while carrying. I use screened bottom hives with metal mesh floor so plenty of ventilation in my region. Was wondering have you ever had to transport them closer than 4 km? I need to transport bees 3 km and I am bit scared that I am risking that they will return to their old place . Any experience on this please?

[@HeartPumper]

@@PaulDrummer1 If there's a laying queen and brood in the hive, they shouldn't move "back" (to what actually then :P) = 1st priority: to protect & raise new generation :).

[@beebob1279]

Moving beehives is a pain. But, sometimes we have to do it. Just be sure anyone moving them does it safely for themselves and others around them when driving.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Thanks Bee Bob

[@2of238]

How can I move my colonies to a location which is only 500mtr far? I am worried that the bees will come back to their original position once I move them.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

In our climate we can do this in cold winter conditions and not lose many bees. There are many other options- none that are very convenient though. Here are two methods. 1.In spring or summer. Move them more than 3km and leave them at the new location for two months. Then move them to where you want them. 2. In spring. Move the hives a few meters a day until you get them to the new spot. I'm sure you didn't like those answers! Here is a bonus method .... When they eventually die move the equipment to the new location and install more bees.

[@2of238]

@@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre yeah the obvious three haha thanks anyway.

[@scottH18370]

What brand smoker are you using?

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

I like the old Dadant brand smokers best.

[@pattyhendrick2969]

@@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre I am curious why you like the Dadant smokers best?

[@framcesmoore]

Ha Paul I am buying a house and I cant move my hives till july and it is very hot here at that time do u have any sugestions for me this video is great just like all of them your videos are wonderful and I very much enjoy watching them and learning from them thanks again oh I do not know if it will be night or day time that I will be moving them

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi Frances Moving bees in hot temperatures is a bit more difficult. Make sure the hives are well secured together and have LOTS of ventilation.

[@JustinSmith-ic7xk]

Why wouldn’t the queen sting you in your hand?

[@smokeydabeecharlescoleman8365]

If I were standing there with my phone light on, I would get lit up myself. Bees are phototropic .

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

We used Dave's phone light and also the truck headlights to make it possible to film at night. We thought you might want to see something in the video! I think we mentioned about not using white light. My red headlamp wasn't bright enough to film. A white bee suit draws bees at night too.The bees were being kind that night but the mosquito's were eating Dave alive!

[@426superbee4]

Bees forager on moon light nights as well I FOUND best way to move bees. Is when you 1st catch em MOVE THEM TO THERE FINAL PLACE! is the best way Have less stragglers Still have to put a box out at the old location for the stragglers old hive and new swarm, cause there more bees coming from there old location or out in the fields. Then move them to the new location IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT

[@chuckroast7053]

426, I have a hive that I would like to move between 5 and 10 feet from the location that I have it in now. Any tips or recommendations? Would it be wise to do this move towards the late afternoon/evening?

[@gasparpablo4921]

takes a lot of time rather just use a forklift bob cat