Moving!

Nock · June 30, 2019, 08:08:40 PM

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Getting them ready for a change of scenery. Got permission to move them to a place next to a big sunflower field. Either tonight or tomorrow. Going probably 8 miles or so. I shouldn?t have to put anything in front to make them reorient right?

ed/La. · June 30, 2019, 08:49:08 PM

I like to lock them in the night before move and move early next morning. Give them a few minutes to settle after move then open the entrance.

Beeboy01 · June 30, 2019, 09:16:30 PM

Sunflower honey rocks, had a neighbor plant 1/2 an acre right next door last year. Got a real nice crop of light and sweet honey from it. Good luck with the move.

cao · June 30, 2019, 09:50:21 PM

Unlike ed/La I am more of a night owl so I like to spend the day getting the spot prepared and then near dark close them up and move them. When at their new home I open them up and then they have the rest of the night to get settled in.

8 miles is definitely far enough that the will have to reorient to the new place. Nothing needed to block their entrance.

Nock · June 30, 2019, 10:38:40 PM

Quote from: Beeboy01 on June 30, 2019, 09:16:30 PM
Sunflower honey rocks, had a neighbor plant 1/2 an acre right next door last year. Got a real nice crop of light and sweet honey from it. Good luck with the move.

I?m hoping so. This would be my first honey. Probably 12 acres of it.

Nock · June 30, 2019, 10:40:02 PM

Quote from: cao on June 30, 2019, 09:50:21 PM
Unlike ed/La I am more of a night owl so I like to spend the day getting the spot prepared and then near dark close them up and move them. When at their new home I open them up and then they have the rest of the night to get settled in.

8 miles is definitely far enough that the will have to reorient to the new place. Nothing needed to block their entrance.

That?s what I?m planning on doing. Cleared out a spot today.

saltybluegrass · July 01, 2019, 01:53:15 AM

Hey nock
Great relocation area!!
Is the farmer signed up to let his field be dove hunted? My son and I always looked for co-op fields -
My wife is now serious about turning our yard into a bee flower holiday-

Nock · July 01, 2019, 11:55:17 AM

Quote from: saltybluegrass on July 01, 2019, 01:53:15 AM
Hey nock
Great relocation area!!
Is the farmer signed up to let his field be dove hunted? My son and I always looked for co-op fields -
My wife is now serious about turning our yard into a bee flower holiday-

Yeah he planted it for the F&W. I plan on taking my son there.

Nock · July 03, 2019, 12:12:35 AM

Got them moved tonight. Had little setback. Bummed my knee little Sunday. So have it a couple days rest. All went well. I?m due an inspection. How many days should I wait before I go in?

cao · July 03, 2019, 12:19:07 AM

I would give them at least a few days to get settled in and get to know the area. I would think a week would be better unless there is something that you are concerned about and need to look at them sooner.

BeeMaster2 · July 03, 2019, 07:30:53 AM

Why inspect now?
They are working the sunflowers bringing in nectar. The brood nest will bee expanding. I would not inspect them until after you pull the honey.
Jim Altmiller

Nock · July 03, 2019, 09:13:19 AM

Yeah I will wait. No reason really.

Nock · July 04, 2019, 04:40:39 PM

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Went by today. They were all heading straight over to it. Added a super to hive 2. Anyone have any experience with sunflowers? I have no idea of long the blooms last. Surely 2 weeks.

BeeMaster2 · July 04, 2019, 10:00:40 PM

Nock,
Sunflowers grow below our bird feeders. They were planted at different times by the birds and have been blooming for a month or more. Not sure about a planted field but I?m pretty sure they would last at least 2 weeks.
Jim Altmiller

FatherMichael · July 05, 2019, 06:14:30 PM

Sunflowers are an agribusiness here but sparingly. You'll see Sunflowers in a field one year and not the next or they've moved miles down the road.

Cotton and Mesquite are our stable pastures here. My nephew has both and I hope to strike a deal with him about placing some hives. Being old and cranky I cannot see moving hives from place to place! LOL

saltybluegrass · July 06, 2019, 02:13:46 AM

I?ve got some that are dying after 3 months and some that just came on a month ago. Dove season opens in August so I?m
Sure he got information on when where and what - those will be there .
Gonnna bee funny to watch you try and shoot a bird right after you see your bee fly by!! DOH!!
Sorry about your knee. Something about Sunday- I fell off a bucket and broke a rib and compressed my t-7 disc- I can?t breathe very well.

Bob Wilson · July 06, 2019, 08:51:20 AM

We hope you feel better soon, Salty. Cut back your dancing in the bee yard for a few days.

Nock · July 06, 2019, 11:45:32 AM

Hate to hear that salty. Drink some margaritas while you rest up.