Moving a new hive???

[Mabe]

I hived one of my swarms a few days ago by setting the new hive right next to the swarm and letting them just walk in. They are busy working it now and appear to be happy, but my husband would like me to move the hive a few yards. Can I just move it a bit every day till I get it to the desired position? Or should I just put it on the new stand right away? I'm also going to replace the bottom board with a SBB.

Thanks!

[Pete0]

No expert but what I've done before:
1. Prepare new site and place SSB on stand
2. Wait until dusk and then when all the bees are in, stuff the entrance with some grass
3. Move the hive with old bottom board and place on top of SSB
4. Next afternoon or days later remove the old bottom board and set hive on SSB

The grass will delay them in departing the hive and force them to reorientate to the new location.

Good luck with your swarm!

Pete0

[Michael Bush]

Put a branch in front of the entrance so they have to fly through it. It will trigger reorientation. The grass might work too.