Beekeepers frequently move hives for agricultural pollination, honey production, or apiary relocation. This common practice often leaves “straggler bees” behind at the original site. These are typically foragers that were out collecting resources, returning to an empty space where their home once stood.
Why Bees Are Not Always Inside the Hive During a Move
Honey bees exhibit structured behaviors, with foraging bees spending their days outside the hive gathering essential resources like nectar, pollen, water, and propolis. These bees possess advanced navigation skills, relying on the sun’s position, polarized light, and the Earth’s magnetic field to find their way back to their hive’s precise location.
Moving a hive during daylight hours means many foragers are out. Younger bees also undertake “orientation flights” where they learn the immediate surroundings and landmarks of their hive entrance. If the hive is moved during these periods, these bees will attempt to return to their former home, unaware it has been relocated.
The Survival Challenges Faced by Stranded Bees
When foragers return to the empty spot where their hive once rested, they become disoriented. These stranded bees face severe challenges to their survival. They lack a queen, brood, and communal food stores (honey and pollen) necessary for sustenance.
Without the protective structure of their hive, they are vulnerable to predators like birds and insects, and are exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as cold, rain, or extreme heat. A small group of worker bees cannot establish a new colony; they cannot build comb, raise new generations, or defend themselves. While they may cluster together in a temporary effort to survive, this is a short-term measure. Their natural lifespan is significantly shortened without the resources and support of their colony, often lasting only a week or two.
Minimizing Bee Loss During Hive Relocation
Beekeepers employ several strategies to reduce the number of bees left behind and to assist any stragglers. Moving hives during the night or in the very early morning is a primary method, as most foraging bees are inside the hive during these hours. Before transport, hive entrances are sealed to ensure all bees remain inside.
For short-distance moves, beekeepers might place a temporary “nuc” (nucleus colony) or an empty hive with some drawn comb at the old location. This can collect returning foragers, which can then be reunited with the main hive or integrated into another colony. To prevent bees from attempting to return to the old site, hives are often moved a significant distance, prompting bees to recalibrate their navigation. If a small cluster of bees is collected, providing them with sugar syrup or a temporary home can aid their survival.