Moving a live honeybee colony requires careful planning to ensure the safety of both the beekeeper and the insects. Successful relocation depends on respecting the honeybee’s strong orientation to its current location, often called its “mind map.” Bees are creatures of habit, and disrupting their established flight path must be managed precisely to prevent the loss of foraging workers. Understanding the difference between short-distance and long-distance moves is foundational for a successful transfer.
Essential Preparations and Timing
Relocating a hive must be executed when most foraging bees are safely inside the box, requiring work late in the evening after sunset or before dawn. Moving during these cooler periods is important because a sealed hive can quickly overheat and die, especially when temperatures exceed 50°F (10°C). The ideal time of year is often mid-to-late spring, when the colony population is robust but not yet overly large.
Proper personal protective equipment is necessary since bees are agitated when their home is disturbed, especially at night. A full bee suit, veil, and gloves are needed, and taping the cuffs prevents bees from finding entry points. Necessary tools include a lit smoker, a hive tool, and at least two strong ratchet straps per hive. Securing the hive ensures that the boxes, frames, and bottom board remain a single, stable unit during transit.
Short-Distance Movement
Short-distance moves present a challenge because the relocation is within the three-mile foraging radius, meaning the bees will return to the hive’s original coordinates. A move of less than three feet can usually be accomplished without issue, as the bees’ final approach relies on very local landmarks and the colony’s scent. Moving a hive just a few feet does not significantly alter these cues, allowing the bees to quickly locate their slightly shifted entrance.
For moves between a few feet and approximately two miles, the beekeeper must force the bees to reset their orientation. One technique involves moving the hive incrementally, shifting it no more than three to six feet daily until the final location is reached. Alternatively, the hive can be moved in one go, but an obstacle must be placed directly in front of the new entrance.
An obstacle, such as brush or a large leafy branch, forces the exiting bees to pause and perform an orientation flight. This action prompts them to create a new mental map of the hive’s position. The obstacle should remain in place for a few days to ensure all returning foragers register the change in location.
Moving Hives Over Long Distances
A long-distance move is relocating the hive more than two to three miles away from its initial location. This distance ensures the bees’ familiar landmarks disappear, compelling foraging workers to perform a complete reorientation flight upon release. The process begins by using a smoker to calm the colony and encourage outside bees to move inside the hive before sealing the entrance.
The hive entrance must be sealed securely using foam, a universal reducer, or mesh, but ventilation remains important. Without airflow, the heat generated by the dense cluster of bees can cause the colony to overheat and perish quickly. A screened bottom board or a dedicated travel screen placed under the lid is often used to maximize air exchange.
Once sealed, all hive components—from the bottom board to the inner cover—must be secured using two or more ratchet straps. The hive should then be loaded onto a truck or trailer and transported carefully, minimizing jostling and vibration. Hives should never be transported inside an enclosed vehicle, as this restricts airflow.
Post-Relocation Care and Monitoring
Upon arrival at the new apiary site, the hive should be placed immediately onto its prepared stand. Allow the sealed hive to settle for at least 30 minutes before opening the entrance, which helps the bees calm after transit. The entrance closure should then be removed quickly to allow the bees to ventilate the hive and begin flying.
If the move involved an intermediate distance (less than three miles), placing a small branch or physical cue in front of the entrance is necessary to encourage reorientation flights. As the bees emerge, they will perform circling flights to lock in the new location, preventing them from flying back to the old site. The beekeeper should monitor the entrance over the next few days to ensure flight patterns are normal.
If the move occurred during a nectar dearth or if the colony appears stressed, supplemental feeding with sugar syrup may be warranted. Checking the hive a few days later for signs of stress, such as excessive dead bees or frantic behavior, confirms the colony is successfully establishing itself.