Beverley
Beekeepers' Association
The
local Beekeeping Association for East Yorkshire
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Moving
Bees
The first time you may be involved in moving a hive of bees
is when you get your first hive. Get an experienced
beekeeper to help you if the vendor is not prepared to
deliver them for you.
The first thing to check is that the hive is robust enough
to travel and it has the full complement of frames. If all
is well then remove the crown board and replace it with a
travelling screen. Strap the hive up securely and replace
the roof. Return after the bees have stopped flying and
seal the entrance. A piece of upholstery foam is ideal. If
the hive is to be moved that evening then remove the roof
and load the hive in the vehicle or trailer securely,
making sure the frames are aligned in the direction of
travel: otherwise they will swing around during braking.
Drive smoothly avoiding pot-holes.
On arrival lift the hive into position and after a few
minutes remove the foam strip. Leave the bees alone for a
few days to get used to their new home. Remove the
strapping and replace the travelling screen with a crown
board at the next inspection.
If the journey is to be early next morning, the colony is
left sealed up overnight with the roof lifted and replaced
diagonally sufficiently to increase ventilation but prevent
rain falling through the travelling screen. On lengthy
journeys or in very hot weather water should be sprinkled
over the travelling screen to avoid the bees overheating.
Many beekeepers take their bees to borage and to the
heather moors. It is always better to get someone to help
you and generally better to travel early in the morning
than in the evening. Dealing with a dropped hive when the
light is failing is no fun at all! If you are carrying your
hives in your car I think it is wise to wear your
protective clothing and you may wish to display a sign
warning others that you have bees in transit.