Last night was the time to move my 3 hives to an orange grove about 30 minutes away. My plan was to use some #8 hardware cloth in a 90 degree shape and stapled it to the hive entrance.
Sealing Hive:
Hive 1 - 2 deeps & 1 super - all went well, bees did not like the staple gun noice though.
Hive 2 - 1 deep & 1 super - staple gun broke. decided to cut some 1x1 to wedge over the hardware cloth. That went fine.
-I got the staple gun working again
Hive 3 - 1 deep & 1 super - (more agressive hive) - They had a entrance reducer (piece of wood) blocking 75% of the entrance. As soon as I moved that they started coming out of the hive. I quickly got the wire in place but it was too long to fit well, I had to cut it twice, then the staple gun broke again. By this time the bees were mad and coming out quickly. After stopping and walking away twice, I decided I needed the smoker and would need to let them calm down. I ended up putting all the bee stuff on that I had (more on that later) and finally got them sealed up using a wedge board again because my stapler broke again. Strapped each together with ratchet straps as well.
Ended up not getting stung to this point I was surprised.
Note on my veil: My veil broke a few weeks ago (big hole in the screen) and I have at this time was a mosquito netting jacket. Let me tell you, it does not provide much protection..... I ordered a honeymoon jacket/veil on Wed so this issue won't occur again.
Moving Hives to truck
-Hive 2 - Carried it to truck, no problem
-Hive 3 - Carried it to truck, no problem
-Hive 1 - Too heavy to carry. Got the dolly. About 1/3 way to truck, my son alerted me to "beesss". The hardware cloth came loose and they were coming out quickly. I told him to run to the front of the house. I went and got my bee stuff on again and the smoker. Long story short is that it took 30 minutes to finally get that hive sealed up and in the truck. THEY WERE MAD. With my poor veil, bee gloves that won't stay on due to the elastic being worn out after just 1.5yrs of beeking, I got stung at least 6-7 times. They were angry and in attach mode. My son also alerted me to a opening between the deep & super that was allowing bees to come out.
Moving Hives to location
This was uneventfull except for Hive 1.
It is heavy and bees were still all over the hive. The short story is that I got stung at least another 6-7 times. I smoked them some and started to open up the entrance but I could see that I would be attacked instantly. I left them that way and will go back today to open them up.
I can't wait to get my Ultrabreeze jacket. It has already been shipped.
I also learned that I need a better plan to quickly seal them up securely. Have any ideas.
I surely hope I get some honey from this adventure.
duct tape over entrance reducers. duct tape over any cracks. straps or duct tape over lids. duct tape..........
:-D
and when you pull the tape off, don't wad it up in your bare hand without checking for stuck on bees.
It wasn't the sound of the stapler but the vibration of the stapler hitting against the bottom board when you engaged the stapler that they didn't like. They do not like things hitting up against the hive.
Before any move I would lightly smoke them then stuff some mesh screen in the entrance with a knife or a hive tool.
Even the nicest colonies do not like to be moved, so always expect them to be hostile when moving them. Be well suited in case you have a mishap.
...JP
Quotestuff some mesh screen in the entrance with a knife or a hive tool.
clarification...my suggestion on the duct tape presupposes that you are using screened bottom boards. if not, for sure do as JP instructed.
I have a nuc that's growing in size so I decided to remove the entrance reducer early last night. As soon as I grabbed it (a 1x2) whammo on the finger. Maybe they don't get airborne in the evening much but they seem to be particularly prone to stinging if they can climb on you. Learned that one the hard way messing with them at night once. Nothing like angry crawling bees all over you. I wonder if they are more likely to get predated at night and so react more strongly.
This is the way I look at it. You go to work all day, come home take a shower, have dinner, put your feet up. Someone knocks at your door at 9 pm, you are pizzed! Same with bees, just minus the shower.
...JP
A little more advanced planning needed. :?
Quote from: Jerrymac on February 12, 2009, 07:45:49 PM
a little more advanced planning needed. :?
Yes, I agree.
Quote from: JP on February 12, 2009, 05:35:34 PM
This is the way I look at it. You go to work all day, come home take a shower, have dinner, put your feet up. Someone knocks at your door at 9 pm, you are pizzed! Same with bees, just minus the shower.
..JP
I was thinking something similar. Think if sitting in your living room and all of a sudden someone picks up your house and starts to move it. I would be mad too.
try using some foam (pillow) crammed in the entrance with a hive tool.thats what i used last year and it worked good.as for holding the hives together,i used some metal strapping,(it comes in a roll and has holes all in it.some people also use it to hold a/c ducting up in the attic of your house) and some 3/4 sheet rock/ wood screws.when you get your hives where you want them pull the screw out of the box you want to pull off.then you have a strap ready to hold your box for next time you want to make a move.it worked good for me last year when i moved some hives around some cotton and beans.hope this helps. bill
Quote from: catfishbill on February 12, 2009, 09:20:32 PM
try using some foam (pillow) crammed in the entrance with a hive tool.thats what i used last year and it worked good.as for holding the hives together,i used some metal strapping,(it comes in a roll and has holes all in it.some people also use it to hold a/c ducting up in the attic of your house) and some 3/4 sheet rock/ wood screws.when you get your hives where you want them pull the screw out of the box you want to pull off.then you have a strap ready to hold your box for next time you want to make a move.it worked good for me last year when i moved some hives around some cotton and beans.hope this helps. bill
The foam is a good idea. Quick and can be adjusted for size easily. Some tape could be added for extra security.