moving out of state, have to find a home for my bees, need advice please

marliah · July 31, 2009, 07:29:01 AM

Me and my family are moving 1700 miles away and I am going to have to rehome my bees, we are leaving in 21 days, and I need to quickly find a home for them. What I was hoping was to sell the whole hive for cost (about $200) this is a second year hive, 2 full deeps of brood and at this point, due to the bad weather in Maine, a super full of brood too LOL.

What would be a good way to sell them? Should I contact local beekeepers and see if they want them? should I list them in the newspaper?

is $200 too much to ask for an established hive? will the fact that this is a natural comb hive make it harder to get rid of?

Any suggestions on moving the bees? I was thinking just put the hive reducer in and put them in the back of a pickup truck, would that work?

I just want to find them a nice home and fast. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

indypartridge · July 31, 2009, 08:17:53 AM

Quote from: marliah on July 31, 2009, 07:29:01 AM
Should I contact local beekeepers and see if they want them?

That's where I'd start. I'd contact all bee clubs within a few hours drive:
http://www.mainebeekeepers.org/MSBA_Chapters.shtml

Also, here at Beemaster, post in the Trading Post forum. Perhaps at the 'for sale' forum at beesource as well.

Quoteshould I list them in the newspaper?

I'd probably try Craig's List first, but I think you'll get a quick response from local beeks.

Quoteis $200 too much to ask for an established hive? will the fact that this is a natural comb hive make it harder to get rid of?

I think the price is reasonable, but be prepared to negotiate. Prices vary from region to region.

QuoteAny suggestions on moving the bees? I was thinking just put the entrance reducer in and put them in the back of a pickup truck, would that work?

Yes. You may want some ratchet straps.

So, where are you moving? Maybe some beeks here on the forum can help you get re-started at your new place!

lenape13 · July 31, 2009, 08:30:36 AM

If you were a little closer, I would say, "Drop them off here. I'm sure they'd enjoy the company of my girls!" :-D

That's more than a fair price, for my area, at least. Good luck!

contactme_11 · July 31, 2009, 10:50:23 AM

What part of ME are you in? I may be able to help. If I can't then I would suggest you PM:
fermentedhiker
reinbeau
woodchopper
all ME members and I'm sure they'll help if they can.

marliah · July 31, 2009, 01:05:29 PM

I am in Gardiner, which is about 7 miles from Augusta.

Will be moving to TN (Sevier County) any fellow beeks there? My husband has said not only that I can get more bees when we move, but he wants me too :-D good man eh?

G3farms · July 31, 2009, 01:13:03 PM

Moving to sevier county? tourist trap of smokey mountains for sure. Just kidding, sort of depending on where in the county you are moving to. I live on the other side of knox county, right on the knox and loudon county line. There are several beeks in the area for sure.

good luck in selling the hive and be careful in you move.

G3

indypartridge · July 31, 2009, 02:40:25 PM

Quote from: marliah on July 31, 2009, 01:05:29 PM
Will be moving to TN (Sevier County) any fellow beeks there?

Just waiting for you...
http://www.tnbeekeepers.org/locals.htm

lakeman · July 31, 2009, 03:54:12 PM

Quote from: marliah on July 31, 2009, 07:29:01 AM
Me and my family are moving 1700 miles away and I am going to have to rehome my bees, we are leaving in 21 days, and I need to quickly find a home for them. What I was hoping was to sell the whole hive for cost (about $200) this is a second year hive, 2 full deeps of brood and at this point, due to the bad weather in Maine, a super full of brood too LOL.

What would be a good way to sell them? Should I contact local beekeepers and see if they want them? should I list them in the newspaper?

is $200 too much to ask for an established hive? will the fact that this is a natural comb hive make it harder to get rid of?

Any suggestions on moving the bees? I was thinking just put the hive reducer in and put them in the back of a pickup truck, would that work?

I just want to find them a nice home and fast. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

m

You are lucky, you will be close to Brushy Mountain, but why do you not bring them with you?? my first two hives were brought to South Carolina from california, and had probably been to Maine, and Florida at one time or another. I purchased my first two hives (each comprised of a full, and one super) from a commercial bee man when he brought them back from california.

marliah · August 01, 2009, 06:11:43 AM

is bringing them with me actually a viable option? My husband had suggested renting/buying a trailer to put the beehive and his motorcycle on (thats his hobby LOL sadly it doesn't provide us with any food source :p) If that could work maybe I will take him up on it. Would they survive an at least 2 day drive on a trailer? would the hive reducer be enough to keep them in there and not loose them on the way to TN?

lakeman · August 01, 2009, 08:40:53 AM

Quote from: marliah on August 01, 2009, 06:11:43 AM
is bringing them with me actually a viable option? My husband had suggested renting/buying a trailer to put the beehive and his motorcycle on (thats his hobby LOL sadly it doesn't provide us with any food source :p) If that could work maybe I will take him up on it. Would they survive an at least 2 day drive on a trailer? would the hive reducer be enough to keep them in there and not loose them on the way to TN?

I purchased my bees, consisting of two hives, and two supers, with the bees in them. these commercial beekeepers haul thousands of hives around the country all of the time, mine cane off of an 18 wheeler from california, they had been in florida, main, and california, and South Carolina, and who knows where ele. When I picked up the two hives with a super, they were sealed in with a piece of wire screen (hardware cloth) blocking the entrance. Have you made a search on this sight, and the other bee forum, on "moving bees"? From what I have read, is that you need to have a garden sprayer full of cool water, to spray them down from time to time while you are traveling, especially when you are stopped, and there is no air flow. I would try to pack them so you can shade them from the sun when parked for the stops you make on the trip. You should not be on the road more than two days for your move, and they should make it.

JP · August 01, 2009, 09:06:07 AM

Lakeman has it right, listen to what he's said. As long as they have ventilation and are kept from baking in the heat, they will make the trip just fine. They have enough food stores most likely already in the hive, I wouldn't be concerned with them starving on a two day trip, its the lack of ventilation and mainly the heat that can do them in.

Secure them well and bring the hive with you. Build them up next spring and do some splits and get that apiary growing at your new place! Good luck to you at your new home.

...JP

G3farms · August 01, 2009, 09:02:07 PM

I use to move hives in the back seat and trunk of the car, of course this was only three to four hours on the road, but was in the middle of the summer and during the day. I made some top covers that were a wooden frame with screen wire on it and #8 hardware cloth in the entrance. I used hive staples to hold everything tgether.

G3