How to Safely Relocate a Beehive Without Harming the Colony

January 18, 2025

Every now and then a beekeeper has to move a beehive, whether to take advantage of a more productive area, keep them out of where they might conflict with human activities, or rescue a colony from a suboptimal environment. On the other hand, shifting a beehive is very stressful to bees, and if it is not done correctly, it can both disperse the colony and even harm it.

Keepers must make sure that they use the proper methods and that the bees will act in predictable ways to ensure their proper and safe movement. In this guide, we will cover how to move a beehive step-by-step while causing the least amount of stress possible to the colony.

Why Relocate a Beehive?

Bees are resilient but favour stability. But times come when you have to move a hive and they include the following:

1. Environmental Risks

The hive is at risk of drowning, extreme weather, or heavy winds.
There are not enough sources of food to stay near here, or maybe resources of water.

2. Human and Animal Conflicts

The hive is too near to houses, colleges, or public places, and it is in all likelihood to cause safety risk.
Honey bees get very defensive when the hive is disturbed by pets or wild animals.

3. Hive Health and Productivity

If you face overcrowding, you must divide the hive by harvesting a part of it and relocating to another place.
Your current location is saturated in pesticides or pollution.

Knowing the reason for moving indicates the best time and procedure to relocate the hive.

Selecting the Time to Move a Hive Properly

There is a right time to move a beehive successfully. Due to this, moving bees at the wrong time can result in extreme stress on the bees, loss of foragers, or the collapse of the entire colony.

When is the Best Time to Move a Bee Hive

1. Later in the day, or early the next day – most of the bees are already back in the hive, simplifying the relocation task to a lot.

2. Ideal weather conditions = Mild weather (not freezing or scorching hot).

3. Spring and early summer are active periods for foraging, so a time outside of peak nectar flow seasons (late summer or early fall) may be less disruptive.

All bees cluster together in winter to stay warm so do not move a hive at this time of year, it only gets in the way when they are trying to survive.

Preparing to Move the Hive

To move only with bees safely you should always prepare them correctly.

1. Select the New Location

Now your new hive location should fit in the following:

Sunshine – Early sun prompts foraging.
The shelter to protect from winds and predators – trees or fences can do as windbreak
Close to food and water – the hive should not be located more than a few hundred yards from a water source.
Strong, to keep your land high & dry – No pooling or overflow.

Advance marking of the new destination to avoid any last minute arrangements during moving.

2. Gather Necessary Equipment

Now, before transporting the hive, you should have the following tools ready:

Bee suit and gloves – Equipment to avoid bee stings
Bee smoker and hive tool — To calm bees, make if they need an adjustment.
Ratchet straps — Transporting all of your hive components will require securing them.
Ventilated transport screen – Lets air circulate while preventing escape of bees.
Dolly or wheebarrows – to carry heavy hives around much easier.

3. Secure the Hive for Transport

Things to ensure a stable hive when transporting:

Seal the entrance-proof foam, mesh, or a moving screen (by sticking the funnel in the mouth of the entrance to stop bees from flying away)
Using a ratchet strap or duct tape to strap all hive components to one another helps keep everything from shifting.
Include air holes to allow the air in and prevent the overheating.

After preparing the hive, the next step is to move the colony over.

How-To: Moving the Beehive

Step 1: Hush Bees Prior to Transport

Smoke them a little but not too much–a small amount of smoke stimulates the relaxation response in bees; too much smoke sparks emotional panic.
Seal the entrance only after you believe that all, or most, foragers are back in the hive.

2) Gently lift the hive

Do not shake when lifting as you don't want to jar the bees inside.
If the hive is too heavy to carry, use a moving dolly or wheelbarrow.

Task 3: Make Sure That the Hive Is Transported Safely

Do not tilt the hive, or frames will shift and everything will go crazy Momma bear)
If you are using a vehicle for long-distance relocation, drive slow and prevent sudden breaks.
When moving the hive at night use minimal lights, or red as bees do not fly in the darkness.

Step 4: Build the Hive in the New Location

Put the hive on a stand or platform so it is not in contact with the ground.
You want the entrance to the hive to face away from any obstacles, with good access for the bees to forage.
Slowly remove entrance blockers & give time for the bees to re-assess their landing.

ASSISTING BEES IN GETTING USED TO THEIR NEW AREA

Bees will need time to reorient to their new location, and start their foraging runs again after having relocated the hive.

1. Aids in Relocation of Bees

Use the branches or leaves near the entrance to indicate a change of location.
Mist sugar water at the new entrance to persuade bees to remain in the new hive.

2. Watch the Hive for Signs of Anger or Stress

Watch out for indications of colony stress:

Reduced foraging after 1-2 days.
Strong cluster of bees in warm or a way of confused from a hive
Buzzing loudly, or cavorting as aggressive

If bees appear to be confused, shut the entrance for a couple of hours, and then open it, so that they can reorient.

3. Temporary Food Source

Set a sugar syrup feeder to help bees transition to the new location if the new location is not immediately fed.
Have water resources around if necessary.

Bees should acclimatize to the new spot after some days.

Moving a Hive Over Some Distance

If you move a hive anytime over three miles, then you need to address the foragers so that they do not return back to their previous location.

The 3-Foot, 3-Mile Rule

If we moved a hive less than 3 feet away – minimal disruption.
Getting over 3 miles away will guarantee that bees will not come back to the original location.
For example, between 3 feet and 3 miles, putting them in a small confinement area for a few days allows the bees to get their internal GPS sorted out.

For Long-Distance Moves:

Do the moving only after dusk, when the mothership of bees are back inside the hive.
Ventilation to avoid heat ovder heating while shipping
Set up food and water in the new spot for the first few days.
We recommend not interrupting the hive for 24 hours or longer after the move to allow all of the bees to settle.

Following the steps above will help ease the long distance work transition.

Never Move a Beehive: Common Mistakes

1. Not to Move the Hive on Regular Basis

Constant moving puts pressure on bees and inhibits their ability to work. When you really have to do this, Move a hive

2. Not Sealing The Hive Up Properly

Colony damage can be major when hives shatter en-route, simply because the hives are not stable.

3. Timing Your Move Wrong

If these moves are done during the day, bees get confused and leave foragers and loss of the colony.

4. Forgetting Ventilation

Hives that are sealed can lead to overheating, particularly in hot conditions. Always allow for airflow.

5. It is Not Giving Bees Enough Time to Reorient

Bees have to recalibrate their internal GPS. Not directing them might cause lost foragers.

Conclusion

The secret of moving a beehive safely is to do so carefully, at the right time, and to put it down as gently as possible, so that the colony is healthy and productive after the relocation. However, there is a safe way to do this: beekeepers can transport a hive without damaging the colony or even the riskiest of the colonies using three main strategies – securing the hive, picking the ideal moment, and enabling the bees to accommodate their new environment.

Fortunately, relocating a hive the right way, with plenty of time, patience, and care, can end well for both bees and beekeepers as the bees lay the foundation of their new hive to continue their successful beekeeping.