If you keep bees, it's a sure bet that you will have to move them at some point. Bees will get stressed when they feel their habitat is being disturbed. In order to avoid that, a basic guide for honey bee relocation Wayne County MI beekeepers have put together is very helpful for those new to the hobby and even seasoned veterans.
Preparation is key. Night time or early morning are the best times of day to prepare the hives. When you close them up in the middle of the day, any foragers will be lost. You close the hive with a piece of hardware cloth, making sure the fit is tight. You need to check your hives for other openings, cracks, or gaps. Smoke the bees as necessary to keep them calm. If you're moving hives in the summer, you have to be careful not to let them get too hot.
You must secure the hives. You might be able to skip this step if you are only going a few feet and the hives are propolized. Otherwise you will be much better off making sure the bees can't be jostled while you;re driving. If you have any doubts, don't depend on the bee glue. Some beekeepers staple the bottom boards to secure them. Others prefer to strap the units in place.
The actual move can be very stressful for the bees. You need to get on the road as soon as you can after you've secured your hives. If you do not have to go alone, and can enlist a friend to come with you, the trip will be easier. You'll need a dolly to get the unit onto the back of your truck or into a trailer.
The biggest potential problem you have at this point is dropping your hives or tipping them over. Expect your bees to be defensive if you are moving them during the night. You should make sure everyone has on protective gear. Packing the hives in as closely and tightly as possible will eliminate the possibility that they might shift or slide around while you're in the driver's seat and can't do anything about it.
Bees have to reoriented once they reach their destination. Foraging bees don't have much trouble adjusting if they are moved a few feet or over two miles. In between those distances, they will get confused. They may fly around aimlessly or clump together on the ground where they expect the hives to be.
The confusion can be minimized by sequestering them for a couple of days. You might leave the screens in place or put an obstacle at the entrance that forces them to crawl through. Moving in rainy weather is another idea. All of these strategies have proven useful in helping the bees reorient themselves.
Beekeeping is a fascinating hobby. Moving a colony of bees may be challenging, but it can be done. You have to prepare carefully, fully secure your hives, and be ready to help your bees reorient to their new location.
Preparation is key. Night time or early morning are the best times of day to prepare the hives. When you close them up in the middle of the day, any foragers will be lost. You close the hive with a piece of hardware cloth, making sure the fit is tight. You need to check your hives for other openings, cracks, or gaps. Smoke the bees as necessary to keep them calm. If you're moving hives in the summer, you have to be careful not to let them get too hot.
You must secure the hives. You might be able to skip this step if you are only going a few feet and the hives are propolized. Otherwise you will be much better off making sure the bees can't be jostled while you;re driving. If you have any doubts, don't depend on the bee glue. Some beekeepers staple the bottom boards to secure them. Others prefer to strap the units in place.
The actual move can be very stressful for the bees. You need to get on the road as soon as you can after you've secured your hives. If you do not have to go alone, and can enlist a friend to come with you, the trip will be easier. You'll need a dolly to get the unit onto the back of your truck or into a trailer.
The biggest potential problem you have at this point is dropping your hives or tipping them over. Expect your bees to be defensive if you are moving them during the night. You should make sure everyone has on protective gear. Packing the hives in as closely and tightly as possible will eliminate the possibility that they might shift or slide around while you're in the driver's seat and can't do anything about it.
Bees have to reoriented once they reach their destination. Foraging bees don't have much trouble adjusting if they are moved a few feet or over two miles. In between those distances, they will get confused. They may fly around aimlessly or clump together on the ground where they expect the hives to be.
The confusion can be minimized by sequestering them for a couple of days. You might leave the screens in place or put an obstacle at the entrance that forces them to crawl through. Moving in rainy weather is another idea. All of these strategies have proven useful in helping the bees reorient themselves.
Beekeeping is a fascinating hobby. Moving a colony of bees may be challenging, but it can be done. You have to prepare carefully, fully secure your hives, and be ready to help your bees reorient to their new location.
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You can find a summary of the benefits and advantages of using professional honey bee relocation Wayne County MI services at http://www.thebestbeeandwaspservice.com/services right now.
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