Moving hives

[Dunkel]

Had to move five hives tonight to one location and four back at the same general area as the first five. 

Lesson 1- Check the radar before sealing them up. Sitting in a steaming Jeep waiting on a break for an hour fully suited with a good friend isn't as fun as drinking beer in his basement.

 Lesson 2- Check for rotting bottom boards a day or so before moving. Painted wood may look alright but a squeeze action on a ratchet will collapse mushy wood.

 Lesson 3- Hives with one or two supers are top heavy.  Remove them before hauling or put them on another hive. 

 Lesson 4- Don't make quick stops going down hill with tall hives, rotting bottoms and wet bees suits or you'll never get your buddy out of the basement to help haul hives

[apisbees]

Nice to hear you had a successful trip and the bees made it to their new home. Now for the beekeepers...

[Dunkel]

Everything went great. Lot of work to just end up moving the hives thirty yards.  But those five were in the perfect place to put deer camp . 

[tedh]

I'm not sure if this is a hijack or not, my apologies if so, but it does involve "moving hives".  Let me know and if need be I'll start a new topic.

Josh and I are talking about moving a few hives that are up to weight and ready for w...w...the coming cold period.  Aside from the greater weight, as opposed to what they will weigh in the spring, are there problems with moving hives at this time of year?  I wouldn't want to move them if the bees were clustered but the days are still warm enough for the girls to get out and move about.  Thoughts?  Thanks, Ted

[apisbees]

How far are you moving them? a lot of beekeepers move hives from their summer yards to home yards that provide easier access and better protection from the elements.
this is not preformed till after the honey is removed. It can be done into October. It is better in my opinion to move a hive 2 miles than a few hundred feet as the bees will reorient better with less confusion to the hive.

[tedh]

Thanks Apis.  We'd like to move them from here at the house to where we'd like them to live permanently.  The new spot has better/more forage and is a thirty minute drive.  The hives have been treated for mites (OAV) and been fed fumigelin-B as a preventitive.  They each consist of two deeps, bursting with bees.   All that's left, in preparation for the coming cold period, is to wrap, insulate, and add sugar cakes. Ted

[Dunkel]

Ted I'd say you are good to go.  I wish I was that far along.  That was part of the reason I brought home  the ones I did.  It sets them back a little.  But I can make up for that with treating and feeding.  I moved some in January, because I had recovered three that had been stolen. Even the one that fell over and came apart made it.  I don't recommend waiting that long though, but I wasn't waiting till spring   

[tedh]

Thanks Dunkel.  Looks like we'll be moving a few hives on Saturday.  Ted