Mooving beehives in late winter & distance

[ThomasGR]

Hello,
In a distance of 1,5 miles from the current position of my apiary, there are over 1000 hazelnut trees and are blooming right now. The distance is lower than 2 miles. Do you believe that this time of year the foragers developed the full range of activity ? Would you try a direct move ? ( maximum day temperature this year about 60F and only for 1 day ).

[iddee]

When the temp is above 55 F. they will fly that distance.

Below that temp they are in partial cluster.  Most will stay in the hive.

Those are not exact figures. Wind and sun will vary their activity.

[Beeboy01]

You will need to make the bees re-orientate themselves at the new location. I would move the hives at night with screened off entrances and when you set them up in the new yard have the hives pointed in a different direction than before. I would also use a entrance reducer on the hives along with piling a lot of brush at the entrance so the bees will need to climb over a lot of stuff before they can take flight. If you have time try placing a couple pieces of 2x4 in front of the hives at the current location as an extra landmark and after you make the move place them back in the same position at the new location.

[BeeMaster2]

Thomas,
Your bees are probably working this grove of 1000 hazelnut trees already. A mile and a half is their normal flying range.
Jim

[Joe D]

If you move them, I would close off the entrance with screen, I have some cut just bigger and rolled up where you stuff it in the entrance.  Have the other places that they can get out closed off.  Strap the colony together, and load on a trailer or whatever you will use.  When you get them there let them set for a little (a hour or so), cut some branches, small limbs with leaves, place right in front of entrance and pull screen where they can get out.  I have done this with no problems, yet anyway.

Good luck to you and your bees,

Joe D

[Michael Bush]

When Huber tried to answer the question of how far they will forage, he took foragers and marked them and took them further and further distances from the hive until they couldn't find their way back.  At 1 1/2 miles they all found their way back.  Greater than that, some did, but some didn't.  So it's safe to assume they know what is blooming 1 1/2 miles away and will work it if it's rich enough for them...