Getting bees back inside

Nock · July 24, 2019, 12:19:08 PM

So I went to move my two hives back home last night. It was a cool evening for this time of year. We went over a hour after dark. Figured by then they would all be in. I didn?t take a smoker. So get there and one hive not a bee to be seen. All inside. The other still had couple hundred bees on the porch. So I try blowing on them. That works at first. Only 10-15 bees left. I?m fixing to try to close them when they start coming out. I get a couple warning bumps. And one gets me on the hand. So I figured time to back out and again tonight. It?s going to be another cool evening hopefully they are in. So if they aren?t will lightly smoking pus them in? Or what about taking spray bottle with water and lightly spraying them. Kinda act like it?s raining. Thanks

cao · July 24, 2019, 02:44:03 PM

Both are good options as long as they aren't bearding too much. Also a red light is a good thing to use after dark. A lot less flying bees.

Nock · July 24, 2019, 03:06:48 PM

Thanks. I didn?t think about the light.

Nock · July 24, 2019, 11:42:52 PM

Well tonight was a success. Same situation as last night. Hive 1 were all in. Hive 2 had some out on porch. Not as many as last night. Little smoke went right. Got them buttoned up and back home. Remember my tick thread? Well this is the field that I was referring to. I showed my buddy and he couldn?t believe it. They were all over hives again. And all over me. We didn?t see any on him though. Side note. Both hives felt heavier. I?ll check in couple days to see if any is in supers or if they just packed out BB.

Ben Framed · July 24, 2019, 11:47:27 PM

I am glad this worked for you Nock. Now we know how to do it! Thanks for posting. I bet you are glad to get them away form the ticks!!
ON a side note, did the smoke do anything for the ticks that you noticed?
Phillip

cao · July 25, 2019, 12:08:38 AM

It was funny that you asked about moving hives because I was moving 10 of mine the last couple of days. Taking advantage of cooler weather(less bearding).

Nock · July 25, 2019, 12:23:31 AM

Quote from: cao on July 25, 2019, 12:08:38 AM
It was funny that you asked about moving hives because I was moving 10 of mine the last couple of days. Taking advantage of cooler weather(less bearding).

This is great weather for July ain?t it. I wish all summer was like this.

Nock · July 25, 2019, 12:24:33 AM

Quote from: Ben Framed on July 24, 2019, 11:47:27 PM
I am glad this worked for you Nock. Now we know how to do it! Thanks for posting. I bet you are glad to get them away form the ticks!!
ON a side note, did the smoke do anything for the ticks that you noticed?
Phillip

That?s a interesting thought. I didn?t but if I see anymore while I have it out I will try.