Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[elight23]

I am moving and need to relocate my hive for a year to a friends house while I am in transition. It is about 15 miles away. I plan to cover and tape the opening, wrap it in a plastic bag and blacket, drive it over in the evening after they are all in for the night and then unwrap it and run for my life! - Should I do anything in particular like plan to hit them with smoke (normally don't use smoke) since they will have been so jumbled or let them the hive sit a while before I unseal it - or anything else? I'm assuming they will be very mad...

Thanks!

[Barbara]

DO NOT wrap with plastic. They need to breath!

This should not be a big deal for them so don't get anxious about it.

What sort of hive is it? If you have an open mesh floor ensure they can get draw air in from the bottom whilst in the car. If not tape mesh over the entrance to block them in, so that they can at least breath through the entrance.
If you are concerned about them escaping in the vehicle then put the hive in an old duvet cover and wear your veil in the car, but usually any that do escape are more interested in trying to get out than sting you.
Obviously make sure everything is as secure as you can with straps and drive carefully. They should not be overly agitated when you reopen the entrance, but if you have a top bar hive, be aware that there may be comb collapse and if this causes honey/nectar to leak out of the bottom then that will encourage robbing in the following days which may make them become defensive, so be prepared to deal with comb collapse early the following day if it is a likelihood and you are travelling them at night.

Other than that, good luck.

Barbara

[madasafish]

Try to position the hives so the combs run parallel to the length of the car. This means sudden acceleration or braking will only move the combs slightly. If the combs are at right angles to the car length, you will get more movement..

Strapping down, mesh floor and spraying water (mist) through the mesh floor before you start should ensure a successful journey.

Travelled 60 miles with TBH nucs at high speeds like that with no issues.