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honey bees

Moving, and changing a hive

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posted 3 years ago

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I built a long Lang, and it's been producing nicely for about a decade now. But my choice of location was not the best and I need to move it about 500 yards.
Due to its sheer size and weight, and somewhat volatile occupants, I can't move it in one piece.
Any suggestions on the best approach to the problem, and when's the best time to move a hive?

Liv Smith

steward

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Location: Pacific North West

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posted 3 years ago

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Are you aware of the “3 feet or 3 miles” rule, and possible ways to mitigate that?

Best and easiest time to move is at night, when all the bees are in. As for taking it apart, I don’t think there is an easy answer to that. If it was mine, I would do whatever it takes to keep it together.

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Joylynn Hardesty

master pollinator

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Location: Due to winter mortality, I stubbornly state, zone 7a Tennessee

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posted 3 years ago

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Michael Bush has a series of articles detailing how he moves his hives. Here's one. More are listed to the left, on his site. This one is moving a regular langstroth hive.

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Joylynn Hardesty

master pollinator

Posts: 5370

Location: Due to winter mortality, I stubbornly state, zone 7a Tennessee

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posted 3 years ago

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Do you have a way of blocking the entrance? Maybe you could move the hive, with only the brood frames it it? Keeping everything else on racks untill reassembly? As quick as possible. They will likely be testy. I hope you have a suit.

'What we do now echoes in eternity.' Marcus Aurelius
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Matthew Wagner

gardener

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Location: Saegertown, PA, USA (zone 5b)

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posted 3 years ago

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I'm not sure if you've listened to the latest podcast yet, but Paul is interviewing someone about bees. It might have the info you need.

Here's the link again: https://permies.com/wiki/212104/Podcast-PTJ-Recap-Session-Part

Matthew J. Wagner
Saegertown, PA, USA

https://www.matthewjwagner.com

“They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.” - Isaiah 65:21, 22

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