"You should move a beehive fewer than three feet or over three miles"
The reason for this is quite simple: Bees learn their local area by sight very accurately. If you move the hive over three feet, the flying bees will fly back to the original site, not find the hive and certainly die.
However, if you move the hive over three miles - the bees will not recognise any of the surrounding area. They will learn their new location. If you move the hive less than three miles - there is a chance that the bees will recognise their old flight area and attempt to return to their old hive position.
How to move the hive
The best time to move the hive is in winter because the bees are not flying. However, if you have to, you can move the bees in flying season and here are some simple rules:
- Wait till dusk when all the bees are in the colony.
- Block the entrance with your entrance block.
- Make sure that the lid and cover boards are secure.
- Move the hive to its new location - fewer than three feet or over three miles.
- Once in their new location, wait fifteen minutes for the bees to settle and then open the entrance block.
- Stuff some grass in the entrance to slow the bees exiting the hive. This will make them realise that there location has changed. The grass will wilt overtime and fall away from the entrance.
Jane, 29 October 2021
I'm moving, and I want to bring my honey bees with me. It's good to know that it's best to move them at dusk when they're in the colony. I think it'll be best for me to hire a professional honey bee relocator to keep the bees safe. https://nelsonsbeeremoval.com/honey-bee-relocation