MOVING BEES IN WINTER

[CTbeeman]

I have to move in January and was wondering if it will be safe to move the bees to their new yard. I don't really have a choice and have to move them.
2 hives with 1 deep and 1 medium full of stores. The nuc isn't as heavy(no problem with that). I plan on strapping them each so the hives cannot pop apart during transport. 
All have screened bottoms. I have a pickup with a closed cap, so cold wind should not be a problem. And yes I will be closing the entrances.

[kathyp]

you can strap them and/or use staples to hold them together.  you can buy hive staples, but the bigger electrical staples work also.  close the hive up before hammering .  to close fronts, i use an entrance reducer held in place with duct tape.  it's easy and keeps bees from sticking to the tape. 

since you have to move them, it doesn't matter whether it's safe or not .  i don't see any problem with it.  they will be fine when the weather warms up and they start flying.

[Robo]

Winter is the perfect time to move hives, especially short distances. You don't have to worry about foragers returning to the old location since they will reorientate when spring comes.   I prefer ratchet straps to hive staples for moving hives.  Staples not only damage the hive bodies, but they don't put any tension on pulling the boxes together, and unless you use a bunch of them,  the hive will be loose.   One ratchet strap is much easier and more secure.


rob...

[rast]

 Make the trip as gentle as possible to keep the cluster together if really cold.

[CTbeeman]

Thanks for the replys all, I needed some reassurance. I was hoping it wouldn't be a problem.

[PerryBee]

I was wondering the same thing ( sort of ). I have one hive about fifty feet away from the others and I would like to move it closer so it will get more sun. My fear was that on a warmer day if they took cleansing flights would they reorient themselves or return to the old location?