![]() ![]() ![]() If the bees are hanging out of the entrance, spraying a of mist water over them may persuade them to go in. Beekeepers often use a strip of upholstery foam to block the entrance. Either late in the day when all the bees have finished flying, or at dawn before they have begun flying, block the entrance.A common method is to use two straps with tensioners around each hive, one at the front, one at the back to stop the hive parts twisting. Strap, clamp or staple the hive parts from floor to cover-board together securely.Replace the cover-board with a mesh travelling screen to provide good ventilation.Or when you come to move the hive, it can be wrapped in a sheet to contain any bees under the mesh floor. Brushing them off and putting a monitoring board under the hive temporarily, until the entrance has been closed, can prevent this, if done a day or more in advance of the move. Bees sometimes cluster under mesh floors.Use well maintained, bee tight equipment, to prevent bees escaping during the move.Having a well propolised colony is an advantage here! ![]() If a box is not full of frames, consider fixing frames in place with a couple of nails or by adding extra empty frames to fill the space. Make sure that the frames within the hive cannot move, so bees will not be squashed.Ensure the colony is not overcrowded bees need space within the hive to spread out allowing air to circulate.Very late in the evening, or very early in the morning before or soon after dawn when the air is cooler, are good. If possible, avoid hot weather and hot times of day.Arrange for vehicular access to the site, knowing how to unlock gates.Agree with the landowner a suitable location for the hives and place hive stands in position. If possible, visit the new site in daylight.Beware of trip hazards too, especially if working on your own. Consider asking another beekeeper to help you with lifting and carrying hives, maybe using a hive carrier or wheelbarrow. To reduce the risk of injury, consider removing excess honey before the move to lighten the load. ![]()
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