Bees have a very important role to play in the ecosystem. They help in pollination in addition to providing honey that is consumed by humans and some animals. Whether you are planning to transport your hive due to a shift to a new residence or are just getting ready for winter, the following beehive relocation steps should help you go through the process with ease.
The first step is getting the hives ready for the relocation exercise. The best time to do this is at night or before dawn. Assuming you had left the hive closed during the day, other bees that may have been out foraging for nectar may be left behind. You ought to close the hive by sealing off the main entrance using hardware cloth. You may use staples to fasten the cloth.
Make sure you use a cloth that is of the right length in order for it to cover the entrance perfectly. When doing this, smoke the bees to avoid agitating them. Also inspect the boxes to ascertain if there are unsealed gaps between them.
If there are any, cover them using duct tape. Study the weather properly to avoid losing your bees through overheating. If it is hot outdoors, remove the outer cover of the hive and use a screened cover for the inner section.
Another vital thing you should not miss is to keep the hive board in a fastened position during transportation. Do not store it in a manner that allows uncontrolled movement when in transit. Too much rattling may make the bees agitated, putting your life and that of those near you in danger should the seals break. The best staples for fastening are the 2 inch versions. However, many beekeepers use ratchet straps instead of staples.
Movement is certainly bound to be pretty stressful for your bees. The best thing to do would be to hit the road once you are through with the loading process. Make sure there is someone by your side to assist you during the exercise. It is not uncommon to see things take a nasty turn for solo movers.
Wearing a safety suit is recommended as bees have an inborn trait of being naturally defensive. Your travel distance will also matter significantly. If you are relocating less than 2 miles, your main problem may come from bees returning from foraging. However, there are often no adaptation issues for relocations that take place over 2 miles or within a few feet.
One technique that helps bees adapt to new environments is sequestration. To do this, do not remove the entrance screen upon arrival. Let it remain in place for at least 72 hours once you arrive. This way, the bees will attempt to recondition themselves for their next foraging trip. However, this procedure usually leaves them agitated, so avoid doing it during hot weather.
Bees are usually dormant during winter and when it is rainy. These periods present the safest opportunity for movement. If relocating then, you will only need a leafy branch to close off the entrance. As much as movement is challenging, some advance knowledge on the same can help make your experience smoother.
The first step is getting the hives ready for the relocation exercise. The best time to do this is at night or before dawn. Assuming you had left the hive closed during the day, other bees that may have been out foraging for nectar may be left behind. You ought to close the hive by sealing off the main entrance using hardware cloth. You may use staples to fasten the cloth.
Make sure you use a cloth that is of the right length in order for it to cover the entrance perfectly. When doing this, smoke the bees to avoid agitating them. Also inspect the boxes to ascertain if there are unsealed gaps between them.
If there are any, cover them using duct tape. Study the weather properly to avoid losing your bees through overheating. If it is hot outdoors, remove the outer cover of the hive and use a screened cover for the inner section.
Another vital thing you should not miss is to keep the hive board in a fastened position during transportation. Do not store it in a manner that allows uncontrolled movement when in transit. Too much rattling may make the bees agitated, putting your life and that of those near you in danger should the seals break. The best staples for fastening are the 2 inch versions. However, many beekeepers use ratchet straps instead of staples.
Movement is certainly bound to be pretty stressful for your bees. The best thing to do would be to hit the road once you are through with the loading process. Make sure there is someone by your side to assist you during the exercise. It is not uncommon to see things take a nasty turn for solo movers.
Wearing a safety suit is recommended as bees have an inborn trait of being naturally defensive. Your travel distance will also matter significantly. If you are relocating less than 2 miles, your main problem may come from bees returning from foraging. However, there are often no adaptation issues for relocations that take place over 2 miles or within a few feet.
One technique that helps bees adapt to new environments is sequestration. To do this, do not remove the entrance screen upon arrival. Let it remain in place for at least 72 hours once you arrive. This way, the bees will attempt to recondition themselves for their next foraging trip. However, this procedure usually leaves them agitated, so avoid doing it during hot weather.
Bees are usually dormant during winter and when it is rainy. These periods present the safest opportunity for movement. If relocating then, you will only need a leafy branch to close off the entrance. As much as movement is challenging, some advance knowledge on the same can help make your experience smoother.
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