Moving a Bee Hive

A nuc delivered in error currently occupies my chosen space for a beehive and I'd like to move it about 1.5m to the side in case it has to be shipped back. Then my 'own' bees that are definitely staying (and being delivered tomorrow in their Warre nuc) will have the best spot. However, I don't want to unduly upset the bees in the 'error' box. If I move it to the side at night, will the bees accept that or will they return to the original slot and be confused?

moves at night are good, moving it 3 ft per day is better. I moved mine 5 feet once during the day n the bees were pissed, they swarmed the old spot for hours when there hive was 5 feet away. bees get angry with me at night cuzz there no as busy and everyone who defends the hive gets lost in the dark.

been following your travails on the yahoo group. the patience of Job comes to mind.

if you move the nuc, the bees will try to get back in the hive you took it off of. but if you move it one meter, and plug up the entrance of your Warré, they'll find the new spot a meter away. then you can open the Warré entrance when the proper nuc arrives.

as long as the first nuc is in the new spot and the Warré entrance is plugged for three days, everybody should keep to themselves. if less time elapses, the first nuc bees may still try to get into the Warré. ultimately, that might not be a problem. it will be a little bit like a trap out, where foragers are allowed into another colony's hive because they're full of nectar or pollen, so they're clearly not robbing. you could end up with two nuc's worth of bees for the price of one.

Check this out: http://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-move-a-hive-any-distance/
I haven't tried this yet but will at some point.