Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: obfarmer on December 06, 2011, 09:26:30 AM

Title: Best time to move bees?
Post by: obfarmer on December 06, 2011, 09:26:30 AM
Living in Midwest Michigan...need to move hives 10 miles south. Which would be easier on the bees, to move now or in the spring?
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: Hemlock on December 06, 2011, 10:37:08 AM
Spring might be a better time to move.  If you move during build up and there's a mishap then the bees can recover quickly during the Spring flow.  Lose the queen now while trying to move and their toast.

Not that moving bees is a big deal. 

If you've put them to bed for the year leave 'em be.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: hardwood on December 06, 2011, 10:58:24 AM
Move them now! You'll lose fewer bees with the cold weather.

Scott
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: Vance G on December 06, 2011, 11:22:38 AM
Move before the snow makes it hard on you and on as cold a day as you can find and is convienient.  Will be easier on the bees and you.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: splitrock on December 06, 2011, 11:26:46 AM

For some reason I thought I had heard if it is too cold, and the bee's cluster is broken, they may not be able to re-group.

I have a few I'd like to move home now, but was hesitant based on what I thought I knew.

Joel
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: Vance G on December 06, 2011, 02:16:46 PM
Most commercial bees and it is a huge number get moved out of the Dakotas and Montana in the cold clustered.  Very few bees come out.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: FRAMEshift on December 06, 2011, 04:21:54 PM
From what I've heard of the winter losses in the North, you should wait till spring.  Then you won't have to move as many colonies.   :evil:

But maybe I shouldn't be so arrogant.   :-D  We got lucky last year and didn't lose any hives, but I don't think it will be so good this winter.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: MTWIBadger on December 06, 2011, 11:39:53 PM
Depends how heavy they are and what equipment you have to move them.  My strong hives are over 200 pounds and I wouldn't dream about moving them until spring after they have slimmed down.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: obfarmer on December 08, 2011, 10:42:15 PM
Thank you all for your advice. My thought was that it would be easier now, but wanted some other opinions. Looking forward to having them home. Merry Christmas.
Title: Re: Best time to move bees?
Post by: tefer2 on December 09, 2011, 09:41:53 AM
If its any help to ya I moved 10 two story nuc's yesterday with a hand cart and the pickup.
We just got our first snow today and I placed them behind the barn for a wind break.
I like to have the wintering nucs close by so I can watch over them.