Moving
Warré hives Example
of moving 6 hives within the foraging range (contributed by Hubert Pilon, Canada)
- Just before sunset, roof and quilt were substituted for an eke
with a perforated metal sheet nailed to it, facing down on the top-bar cloth.
- Two ratchet straps were installed from under floor (original
Warré one) up to the 'screened top', very well tightened.
- Hives and positions labelled.
- When completely dark outside, around 22.00 hours with an outside
temperature of 18oC, a puff or two of smoke was given at the entrance of the
hive.
- The hive then 'bear hugged' and gently put into the trailer,
strapped again to the trailer.
- An empty nucleus box was left at old hive position in case of
lost bees.
- Drove really slowly (1-4 km/h) to the destination 650 m away
(700 yards).
- A puff or two of smoke was given at the entrance of the hive
(open at all time).
- 'Bear hugged' the hive out of trailer and placed at final
position.
- Removed straps, screened top & replaced quilt and roof.
- Loose grass was placed in front of hive entrance in order to
encourage morning orientation.
- End of operation: around midnight.
Hives the following
morning in their new apiary.
- Since the distance of the move was only 650 m, i.e.
within the foraging range of the original sites, it took a week to retrieve the lost
bees in nuc boxes at the original sites, of course in decreasing number each night. Every nuc box containing bees was switched for an empty one, and then
carried in front of its respective parent hive at the new site.
- It took around two weeks to get back to normal foraging.
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