Bee- sports question.

jimmy · April 19, 2008, 07:30:09 PM

Ok my hive split and I captured the swarm hive in a cardboard nuc and placed them about 100 ft. from original hive in open field. They tend to be content in that new place.
Here's the question I have ordered a new wooded hive body for them as a permanent home. Will I be able to move them back to where the rest of the hives are ,when I put them in the regular hive body?
I have heard all sort of explanations that they have to be 400 yards and even 4 miles away.
I really need an expert answer . I don't want to leave them in the middle of the field .
Thanks for you expert knowledge.

Little John_NC · April 19, 2008, 07:41:24 PM

Hey Jimmy
How long have they been at that location in the card board box ?

If it was today move them to where ever you want the new hive at. If there all in the box move them tonight................Little John_NC

Michael Bush · April 19, 2008, 09:51:00 PM

Move them back.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmoving.htm

jimmy · April 19, 2008, 10:15:48 PM

They have been in the cardboard nuc for a week. I ordered the new brood hive yesterday.It should be here next week.

Michael Bush : As I understand your moving page,I should place the bees in their new brood chamber and move them the same night as I placed them in the new chamber, using the same frames that are in the nuc now.
But place a green small limb on the porch next to the entrance reducer????
BTW way your site is quite exciting for a newbie . Jimmy

Michael Bush · April 20, 2008, 10:40:44 AM

>As I understand your moving page,I should place the bees in their new brood chamber and move them the same night as I placed them in the new chamber

I'd either move them in the box they are in or put them in the new box and let them identify it first. If you change boxes and move at the same time they don't know what they are looking for.

> using the same frames that are in the nuc now.

Sure.

>But place a green small limb on the porch next to the entrance reducer?

Anything they have to fly through to get out will force them to think about where they are. A branch in their way, grass over the entrance that they have to fight out of or a board leaning against it that they have to fly around.

>BTW way your site is quite exciting for a newbie.

Glad you're enjoying it.

jimmy · April 21, 2008, 04:37:00 PM

I peeked inside the cardboard nuc today. I had only installed 4 frames as in a 5 frame box, as I didn't think it would take so long to get a new hive body.

The little rascals have made their own wax foundation in the missing area. A lot of work, huh?
When the new hive box comes in I am going to try to remove that natural foundation on to a plastic cell /w frame and hold in place with some rubber bands.

Am I on the right track here?

The hive the swarm came out of was also opened today. While there were plenty of bees and capped brood ,my wife and I looked hard for a queen and evidence of new larva/eggs. NONE seen!
My local mentor says I should wait a week to see if the might be a virgin queen in that hive .The bees seem like the are hard at work making honey in the top super and bottom hive body

Opinions wanted!

Michael Bush · April 21, 2008, 09:38:19 PM

>The little rascals have made their own wax foundation in the missing area.

Of course.

>When the new hive box comes in I am going to try to remove that natural foundation on to a plastic cell /w frame and hold in place with some rubber bands.

You will need a wooden frame to tie it into. You can make one or buy one.