Any wisdom in intentional drift?

[SweetBettyBees]

I've read a lot of what's been posted here on drifting and found it very helpful, but I'm left with a few questions I'd like to ask some of you more experienced and opinionated keepers. Does a drifted bee who comes bearing gifts not get killed by the new hive? Is swapping positions of hives, so as to encourage drifting, ever a good idea? Should it be done in the day or night? Would it be better to give the smaller hive some brood and bees from a distant hive? Would a nurse bee who's never flown have the desire to return to her original location?

If it helps, the situation is this - I had two hives on a stand about 10 feet long. Moved one end hive to the middle and added a third one on the end. I beleive I very quickly lost a fair number of bees from the middle to the end, and am now thinking of swapping them to "pay back". Both are new hives from splits about 10 miles away, both have new queens that are looking good.

I feel like I might be meddling but I'm concerned that the middle hive won't have the critical mass it needs to build up sufficiently before cold weather. Thanks, guys.

[Dave W]

>Does a drifted bee who comes bearing gifts not get killed by the new hive? . . .

Drones "Drift" and they dont bring in honey smile.gif Bees w/ honey are most often welcomed.
Bees w/o honey are considered robbers.

>Is swapping positions of hives, so as to encourage drifting, ever a good idea?

Yes. Its recommened often.

>Should it be done in the day or night?

Mid-day, while most of the bees are collecting nectar.

>Would it be better to give the smaller hive some brood and bees . . .

Brood might build up hive quicker.

> Would a nurse bee who's never flown have the desire to return to her original location

If she has never flown, her "original location" will be the place she takes flight from.

>I had two hives on a stand about 10 feet long . . .

Now, is it easy to understand why its recommended that hives NOT be placed in a straight row? smile.gif

Your not meddling, hive DO need to be strong (and well fed) to survive winter.

>Thanks, guys . . .

Ladies answer questions too smile.gif smile.gif

[SweetBettyBees]

You know, I thought twice about saying "Thanks, guys". I am well aware we ladies are perfectly capable of answering questions and didn't want to inadvertently leave anyone out, though I suppose some ladies might be offended at being referred to as "you guys". After much deliberation I chose to leave it at that because I tend to think of all my beekeeping buddies as one "guys". Would you agree with that, guys? smile.gif

And, thanks, Dave, for your answers. What a guy!

[iddee]

I have seen many women in a group refer to the group as the guys, when there was not a male in the group. I think guys is accepted in most circles as uni-sex.

Just my .02

[Hobie]

I don't mind being one of the "guys"! I'm actually happily surprised to find women beekeepers. My husband thinks I'm nuts, and most others who find out look at me as an oddity.

Of course the latter may have nothing to do with bees... ;)

[ July 18, 2006, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: Hobie ]

[iddee]

Have you ever met a beek that wasn't a little nuts???? The only ones I have met that weren't a little off, were a lot off, like myself.

[ainsof]

Hi Folks,

I'm confused...

"Now, is it easy to understand why its recommended that hives NOT be placed in a straight row?"

I've seen a number of apiaries with their hives setup in nice straight rows. I'm afraid I don't understand why not? Please explain further.

[Michael Bush]

Straight rows contribute to drifting. The end that is usually downwind ends up with a lot more bees than the one at the opposite end.

[ainsof]

Ahhh. that makes total sense. Thanks MB. Hmmm... I sense a new topic coming forth...