Moving Hives Up The Hill

[Pond Creek Farm]

I need to move my hives up the hill from the valley where they are now located.  I cannot wait for another flood to take the bees again. I have read and heard about a two foot or two mile rule, (or something similar) but I cannot do this since I do not have a place to put them two miles away.  I need to move them about 1/8 mile up a hill.  Can this be done without losing the foragers?  I really cannot afford to lose any given tht they are in a weakened state from the flood.  Any advice? 

[Jerrymac]

Most suggest moving them at night after closing them up. Place grass, weeds, big branches, or some obstacle in the entrance. This is suppose to encourage re=orientation. Also go ahead and place empty box(s) at the old location(s). Some bees will return to the old location and go into the box(s). Each evening you take the box and dump them in front of the hive at new location.

[beekybuzzard]

I have moved 2 hives less than 500 yards just moving them in the evening and closing it up then putting a cedar limb in front of the entrance with no problems at all. Good luck. Our prayers are with all of you in the flood areas.

[Pond Creek Farm]

beekybuzzard: Thanks for the well wishes, but we here are only having flooding in creeks and such.  We are experiencing nothing like the people in the Mississsippi valley and and Iowa. I will put your advice and that of Jerrymac to good use this weekend.  Thanks