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.
Your first step should be to prepare the hives. Dawn and nighttime present the most appropriate times for preparation. If you had already sealed your hive during the day, you may prevent foraging bees from finding their way back in. The material used to seal the hive entrance should be hardware cloth. Use a few staples to fasten the cloth over the entrance.
Ensure the cloth is of the correct length so that it fits perfectly over the entrance. During the process, you might want to use smoke to calm the bees. You should also check whether there are gaps that are present between the boxes.
Gaps can be easily sealed using duct tape. Before you relocate, be sure to check if the weather is right for transportation lest your bees get killed by heat. If temperatures are soaring outdoors, replace the inside cover of the hive with a screened cover then remover the outer one.
The next step is to keep the hive board fastened to the floor of the moving van. Avoid placing it in a position where it will shift irregularly when in transit. Too much disturbance may rattle the bees, which needless to say will be risky for you and others nearby assuming the seals wear off. 2 inch staples are appropriate for fastening. Nevertheless, most folks prefer opting for ratchet straps for this.
The actual movement process is bound to be a stressful moment for the bees. It is therefore prudent to get going immediately you finish loading so as to get the process over with fast. Ensure you have someone to help you out during transportation. Things often go wrong when beekeepers opt to relocate without any help.
As bees are naturally defensive insects, make sure you suit up for the exercise. The travel distance also matters a lot in this regard. If the distance is less than 2 miles, you might have an issue with local foraging bees returning. However, you should not have an adaptation problem if you are moving them just a few feet or more than 2 miles.
Sequestration is a technique that many beekeepers use to help bees adapt to new areas. To achieve this leave the entrance screen in place upon arrival. Only remove it after 72 hours. This will force them to recondition themselves before moving out. Nevertheless, sequestration often leaves bees irritated, so avoid it during summer.
Bees are mostly inactive during winter and in rainy seasons. This is the perfect time for relocation. A leafy branch should act as a good entrance cover then. With this knowledge, you should enjoy a smooth process.
Your first step should be to prepare the hives. Dawn and nighttime present the most appropriate times for preparation. If you had already sealed your hive during the day, you may prevent foraging bees from finding their way back in. The material used to seal the hive entrance should be hardware cloth. Use a few staples to fasten the cloth over the entrance.
Ensure the cloth is of the correct length so that it fits perfectly over the entrance. During the process, you might want to use smoke to calm the bees. You should also check whether there are gaps that are present between the boxes.
Gaps can be easily sealed using duct tape. Before you relocate, be sure to check if the weather is right for transportation lest your bees get killed by heat. If temperatures are soaring outdoors, replace the inside cover of the hive with a screened cover then remover the outer one.
The next step is to keep the hive board fastened to the floor of the moving van. Avoid placing it in a position where it will shift irregularly when in transit. Too much disturbance may rattle the bees, which needless to say will be risky for you and others nearby assuming the seals wear off. 2 inch staples are appropriate for fastening. Nevertheless, most folks prefer opting for ratchet straps for this.
The actual movement process is bound to be a stressful moment for the bees. It is therefore prudent to get going immediately you finish loading so as to get the process over with fast. Ensure you have someone to help you out during transportation. Things often go wrong when beekeepers opt to relocate without any help.
As bees are naturally defensive insects, make sure you suit up for the exercise. The travel distance also matters a lot in this regard. If the distance is less than 2 miles, you might have an issue with local foraging bees returning. However, you should not have an adaptation problem if you are moving them just a few feet or more than 2 miles.
Sequestration is a technique that many beekeepers use to help bees adapt to new areas. To achieve this leave the entrance screen in place upon arrival. Only remove it after 72 hours. This will force them to recondition themselves before moving out. Nevertheless, sequestration often leaves bees irritated, so avoid it during summer.
Bees are mostly inactive during winter and in rainy seasons. This is the perfect time for relocation. A leafy branch should act as a good entrance cover then. With this knowledge, you should enjoy a smooth process.
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