moving a hive during winter

BobMac · December 07, 2017, 09:39:29 PM

Need thoughts and or experiences with moving a hive or hives during the winter.
Going to a estate auction Saturday in the listing there will be 2 active bee hives plus other
equipment,the weather will be low 30's f with snow and Saturday night will be low of 14.
If the price is right was thinking about trying to get the if moving them is possible.Its been cold
for the last 4 or 5 days so i would assume they would be in there cluster.The move would be about 45 miles
if I purchase them.

thanks BobMac

Acebird · December 07, 2017, 09:51:46 PM

Are you going to be allowed to look inside the hives? I wouldn't pay much for winter bees. At an auction I would value the hives for equipment and honey and offer to take the bees with it. But I wouldn't pay for them.

cao · December 07, 2017, 10:18:04 PM

Quote from: Acebird on December 07, 2017, 09:51:46 PM
Are you going to be allowed to look inside the hives?

With it being that cold, I wouldn't want to open the hive. IMO no good could come from that. It would be a crap shoot on whether the bees make it through the winter unless you know some background info from the family having the auction. Like Acebird said "I wouldn't pay much for winter bees". Although I would buy them and move them for the 'right' price though. You may get a real bargain come spring. Moving them shouldn't be that bad. With it being that cold they shouldn't be flying. Just put a strap around them and load them up. Good luck at the auction.

little john · December 08, 2017, 05:27:49 AM

I agree with both the previous posts - pay for the boxes if they look worthwhile, but not for any bees - there's just too many 'unknowns' there.

If you should buy them, suggest you install some emergency feed as a 'belt and braces' measure for this first winter when you get them home. Can't imagine any problems moving them - just stuff something appropriate into the entrance and strap the boxes together. I know many of you guys prefer to drive pick-ups, but if you should be moving them inside an enclosed vehicle, suggest you have the heater turned off during the journey - so wrap up warm !
LJ

Acebird · December 08, 2017, 08:11:55 AM

You have to be careful not to bounce them around. The comb is fragile and should contain honey.

BeeMaster2 · December 08, 2017, 08:21:44 PM

I agree about notpaying for the bees, just the equipment. I cannot imagine too many people bidding against you.
If you do not have a pickup, get a netting bag to put them in. Make one if you have to.
Jim

Johnny · December 09, 2017, 11:05:57 AM

I have another question can a cutout be successfully preformed in the winter. We currently have 62-70 for highs and 20- 35 for lows. The owner wants them gone now.
They are in a well house wall and every time he goes in there they are flying. The well house stays warm because of the pressure tank that is why the bees are always flying
I was wondering if it is worth trying to save them or just get the honey and let the bees die. By putting them in a hive with comb tied in frames I don't think they will survive
because of cold air getting in the hive. Any opinions on my situtation?

paus · December 09, 2017, 11:34:36 AM

I have successfully done a cut out when the temp is in the seventies. I only do this if it is a "must go" situation. They should be wrapped with an old movers blanket but they require a little ventilation. Yes I would rubber band all the assets that can be made secure in frames. Good luck.

BobMac · December 09, 2017, 04:53:30 PM

Well, didn't get the bees. The hives that were supposedly alive
x 2 went for $300.00 with all other deeps and medium boxes with them,15 to 18 most were junk plus the frames that were mouse and wax moth covered.The hives were 1 deep with a medium on top still had the queen excluders on both and then another medium. But I did buy this

Well, didn't get the bees. The hives that were supposedly alive
x 2 went for $300.00 with all other deeps and medium boxes with them,15 to 18 most were junk plus the frames that were mouse and wax moth covered.The hives were 1 deep with a medium on top still had the queen excluders on both and then another medium. But I did buy this

Well, didn't get the bees. The hives that were supposedly alive
x 2 went for $300.00 with all other deeps and medium boxes with them,15 to 18 most were junk plus the frames that were mouse and wax moth covered.The hives were 1 deep with a medium on top still had the queen excluders on both and then another medium. But I did buy this
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wRg9MZOmZkey84LB2

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wAA1uSdHNB2RkeW83

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1uUOyQiBewtSt1kp1

was used this year according to the deceased mans neighbor helper,don't know if I paid to much but it cost me $75.00 not going to use it I have a maxant i use,going to clean the inside up,didn't have a lid will have to check to see if it did when new ??

cao · December 09, 2017, 05:29:00 PM

About 4 years ago I bought a three frame manual extractor made by Kelley's at an auction for $100. I didn't know haw good of a deal it was til I looked at the price that Kelley's was selling it new. Back then it was near $700. I just looked at their website, they don't have it anymore. Even their cheap plastic ones sells at $199.95. Even though yours is and old one I think you got a good deal. If you don't use it yourself, I'm sure you could get your money back from someone that only has a couple hives.

I've been to several auctions that had bee stuff. It seems it goes for nearly nothing or way too much. My cousin and I bought a full pickup truck load of boxes with frames for a grand total of $15. Half the boxes were decent to new, the rest need a little TLC. About a third of the frames were new, a third were plastic frames and the rest need a little work. They had been sitting in an old barn for several years covered in dust.