Beekeeping is about more than just wearing a netted hat and moving slowly among the clover. The bee populations around the world are in serious jeopardy. Unless keepers learn to do a proper beehive relocation, then splitting or moving hives can result in another million bees lost, which for many new keepers also means less honey in the world.
What must be understood about these most sophisticated creatures is that they require a period of reorientation when a hive is moved. Even if it is only being shifted a few feet away, it is a good idea to cover the hive with a small faggot of sticks. This temporary containment causes them to begin reorientation immediately, as they are tricked into thinking that a branch has fallen over the entrance.
This temporary block will actually trick your bees into reorienting themselves BEFORE they leave the hive. Successful reorientation starts inside the hive, then continues out as they try to get a feel for what has changed about their environment. This process, performed successfully by both the bees and their keeper, can prevent catastrophic bee loss.
Do not fret if some bees fail at this process. If you see a small bunch or swarm still hovering around the prior location, place an empty nucleus box at their old home site. Those bees still confused will find their way into it by nightfall, then you simply close the lid and move the poor darlings to their old abode so they can restart reorientation.
Winter moves go a little more smoothly for the bees since they may not be foraging at all, depending on the weather. At about fifty degrees or below, they will get back to their hives as quickly as they can, if they have ever left it at all that day. You will still want to close the hive for moving, and place the branches at the opening, but the chance of bee loss is much less due to the cold.
Cold months are also a better time due to the stability of the hive the bees have created. The younger the crew or the hotter the temperature, the more delicate their hive may be. Destruction of their delicate new construction can be devastating to the colony, so waiting until it is cold out, and their construction is rigid and well attached is key.
Even an experienced beekeeper can make a stupid mistake, so we really must remind new bee people that their hive needs excellent ventilation during the move. Bees can become easily overheated, and agitating them during a move causes their index to rise. Keeping the box cushioned and the car as cold as possible helps to ensure the colony makes it to their new destination alive.
Keeping water sprayed around any ventilation openings is another way to help keep the bees from overheating. A hive can generate a great deal of heat to begin with, and overheated bees are dead bees. If driving them a few miles down the road or across a field, keep spraying water, crank up the air conditioning, and be sure that your hive is set on pillows, blankets, or Styrofoam to lessen the jostle.
What must be understood about these most sophisticated creatures is that they require a period of reorientation when a hive is moved. Even if it is only being shifted a few feet away, it is a good idea to cover the hive with a small faggot of sticks. This temporary containment causes them to begin reorientation immediately, as they are tricked into thinking that a branch has fallen over the entrance.
This temporary block will actually trick your bees into reorienting themselves BEFORE they leave the hive. Successful reorientation starts inside the hive, then continues out as they try to get a feel for what has changed about their environment. This process, performed successfully by both the bees and their keeper, can prevent catastrophic bee loss.
Do not fret if some bees fail at this process. If you see a small bunch or swarm still hovering around the prior location, place an empty nucleus box at their old home site. Those bees still confused will find their way into it by nightfall, then you simply close the lid and move the poor darlings to their old abode so they can restart reorientation.
Winter moves go a little more smoothly for the bees since they may not be foraging at all, depending on the weather. At about fifty degrees or below, they will get back to their hives as quickly as they can, if they have ever left it at all that day. You will still want to close the hive for moving, and place the branches at the opening, but the chance of bee loss is much less due to the cold.
Cold months are also a better time due to the stability of the hive the bees have created. The younger the crew or the hotter the temperature, the more delicate their hive may be. Destruction of their delicate new construction can be devastating to the colony, so waiting until it is cold out, and their construction is rigid and well attached is key.
Even an experienced beekeeper can make a stupid mistake, so we really must remind new bee people that their hive needs excellent ventilation during the move. Bees can become easily overheated, and agitating them during a move causes their index to rise. Keeping the box cushioned and the car as cold as possible helps to ensure the colony makes it to their new destination alive.
Keeping water sprayed around any ventilation openings is another way to help keep the bees from overheating. A hive can generate a great deal of heat to begin with, and overheated bees are dead bees. If driving them a few miles down the road or across a field, keep spraying water, crank up the air conditioning, and be sure that your hive is set on pillows, blankets, or Styrofoam to lessen the jostle.
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