Author Topic: Moving hives  (Read 5479 times)

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Offline barry42001

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Moving hives
« on: May 16, 2014, 01:29:04 pm »
I will be moving my hives about 60 miles from where I am to the new location. because of the heat, I acquired two very large mosquito nets my intention is to wrap hives individually. ratchet strap the hives tightly together ( not both hives together, but rather the pieces of the hives) so they do not slip and slide. the plan to move is not this weekend but next. all I plan on doing after ratchet strapping the hives, is to put the mosquito netting underneath of them. and then bring it up and around and tie the top of the mosquito nets together so each hive is self-contained. the final preparation will be done at night, and that's when I will transport them. minimize the number of people that are out when I get them where I'm taking them. anything I'm missing?

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Offline tbonekel

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2014, 04:21:20 pm »
I'm confused about the netting. Are you not going to put any kind of wire in the entrance? If you are going to have to transport them in a non pickup truck situation, then I might can see the netting need.

Offline barry42001

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2014, 05:25:51 pm »
No on trailer,  going through populated areas don't want any leakage at all.

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Offline tbonekel

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2014, 05:33:53 pm »
I can understand that you want to be sure. Good luck on the move!

Offline barry42001

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2014, 06:01:53 pm »
:)

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Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2014, 07:34:56 pm »
Hmm, if you don't put something in the entrance you're going to have bees getting hung up between the hive and netting I would think.  Also, when you start tilting/moving the hives to get the netting beneath them you are subject to have bees come out to see what's going on....have you ever seen a hive that has been disturbed at night....the whole outside of the hive can get quickly covered with a carpet of bees...creepy experience in the dark.  :o  I would get some #8 mesh hardware cloth/screening and make a v-shaped wedge to slip into the entrance  make it ever-how-wide the entrance is by about six inches...this is longer than what I usually use but it will give you plenty of mesh to staple down on the porch to keep it in place.  Pinch the v-wedge together and slip it into the entrance...release it and the tension will pretty much hold it there.  For insurance you can staple down the wedge if you want to.  Once done, you can probably get by without the mosquito netting but if you still want to use it the bees won't be in your way now as you install it.   Really, though, if you strap those boxes together and there is a little propolis on the box edges you shouldn't have problems with them slipping.

Gas up before you load the bees so once you start rolling you don't have to stop again until you get to where you're going.  Make sure the bees don't overheat.

If you can, place them in the trailer on the side that is opposite from the vehicle's exhaust pipe.  Depending on the type of trailer, the smoothest ride may be up front.  Load the hives so that the frames are parallel with the road...that way braking and accelerating won't make the frames swing back and forth (they probably won't anyhow if they're glued down with propolis).

Best wishes,
Ed

Offline Bamabww

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2014, 08:54:35 pm »
I moved my first hive about 22 miles at midnight. I put a screened inner cover on top and a screen entrance cover on the hive, strapped the 2 deeps, 1 medium super, bottom board and top cover all together with a ratchet strap along with the screens and didn't have any trouble at all until I tried to unload it by myself. It was heavy for two of us to load and very heavy for only me to unload.  I left them screened in till the next day and then removed the screens. They slowly begin to move out and started exploring their new territory.

I'd try to keep the bees contained just to keep them from getting into the mosquito netting. Good luck.

 http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/10-frame-Ventilated-Inner-Cover-Moving-Screen/productinfo/373/

 http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Florida-Moving-Screen/productinfo/516/

Well the hyperlink didn't work but maybe you can find what I'm talking about from the links.
Wayne

Offline riverbee

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2014, 09:50:35 am »
here are the links in wayne's post:

Ventilated Inner Cover Screen

Florida Moving Screen
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Offline litefoot

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2014, 10:59:15 am »
Cue "Night Moves" by Bob Seger. 8) Done this a couple of times. I agree to screen them off individually, then vertically ratchet-strap each hive and bunch the hives in one big block. If you're using a utility trailer with a wood deck, screw some 2X4 blocks directly into the deck on each side of the big bunch to keep it from shifting. Our natural tendency when lifting heavy stuff is to put a shoulder into it. I did it...once...when moving a hive and paid the price of multiple stings when I knocked a box out of kilter.

Offline tmrschessie

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2014, 11:12:03 am »
Want to move the hive 3 feet or several miles this system seems to have merit....Tom

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Offline apisbees

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Re: Moving hives
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2014, 11:55:31 am »
Its the distance between the 3 ft and the couple of miles that he obscuring the entrance is needed for the bees to reorient. under 5 feet and the bees will fan the cent to attract the home coming forages to the new entrance location. after a mile or so move the bees will orientate to the new hive placement with out being obstructed.

Bees need to be contained while in transport. According to the DOT rules. whether you confine the bees to each individual hive, or net the whole load as done by commercial beekeepers when hauling semi loads.

Bees Can over heat while being transported but with you travailing only 60 miles, at night, at this time of the year, their is little to be worried about. As Scott said a piece of #8 screen the length of the entrance I cur a 4 " strip fold it over the edge of the hive cover so it bends in a strait line and squeeze it a little more so it is in a u shape and tuck it in to the entrance an 1 1/2". have a roll of tape to stop up any holes or cracks the bees could use to escape.

when the are moved to the new location pull the screen as it will still be night and the bees will for the most part stay in the hive.
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