I have one weak hive and one strong hive. Can I swap their positions (5 feet apart) and expect the bees from the strong hive to move into the weak hive when they come home for the night?
I don't know if this will work when there is no nectar flow. There is no nectar flow right now here in the southeast.
That's a good way to build up the weaker hive for sure. You should do it at mid day and will get the foraging force of the stronger hive, wait a week and a half to do it again. You could also take a frame of capped brood and put it into the weaker hive when you switch hive places. No nectar, then you may want to give some syrup and close down the entrance a bit to cut down on robbing opportunity. Question for you though, why is the one hive week? Have good day.
This will make the weaker hive stronger as long as bees are flying. However why is the one hive weaker then the other? If it is a poor queen then you should re queen as well or this hive will only become weak again. There may also be disease in this hive that you should address.
It was weaker because of an underperforming queen and a case of wax moths. I requeened and cleaned out the wax moths. It's now healthy, but too small.
Yes, swap the hives.
Sincerely,
Brendhan