problem moving hives...

olive · June 02, 2009, 11:06:35 PM

Okay so I may or may not have a bit of a problem...
My mom and I were moving the hives tonight, and while doing so one of the bottom boards fell off. This wasn't so bad, because it just fell a few inches landed in the grass and the bees didn't seem disturbed. But we made a mistake when we set the hive on the ground to pick the bottom board up...because now there are 25-40 bees (my guess) on the ground about 4 feet from where the hive is now located. My biggest concern is the queen is among them. Also, is there anyway these poor bees can get back to their home?

How can I tell if a hive is "queenless" and if it is, what should I do? :-\ Thanks for your help!

iddee · June 02, 2009, 11:13:16 PM

They will go back to the hive come morning.

NasalSponge · June 02, 2009, 11:46:30 PM

If you need to move one again you may want to buy some hive staples or a ratchet strap. :)

sc-bee · June 02, 2009, 11:49:13 PM

I doubt very seriously the queen is one of the forty.

If so she will find them or they will find her :-D!

Hethen57 · June 03, 2009, 01:35:04 AM

I had a frame drop to the ground like that and they didn't seem to be moving back toward the hive at all (mostly young nurse bees), so i set an empty super of frames over them and they all moved into it and then I put it near the hive entrance and they were all in the hive by nightfall.

olive · June 03, 2009, 01:43:00 PM

thanks a lot everyone! i looked this morning and it seems most of the bees have found their way home, there are about 7 straglers left but the queen is not among them.

danno · June 03, 2009, 03:29:54 PM

Why are you moving them and how far are you moving them.

Michael Bush · June 05, 2009, 03:27:09 PM

Queens are seldom on the bottom board. The odds are in your favor.