moving brood combs

[Hayseed]

I'm about to move a small feral hive to a Lang. I plan to remove existing comb and rubberband it to wooden frames. I moved the tree section here 2 months ago and they are strong, quiet and seem to be healthy. They will not "move up" to a Lang I have placed just above their combs.

Does the position matter? I realize they will not re-use the old comb if it is turned 90 degrees. But will they take care of the eggs and brood? My hopes are that they will do so and begin building new comb to work.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Hayseed

[Bill_newbee]

Technically I think you meant "turn 180 degrees" but I am sure you knew what you meant. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/wink.gif
Hzve a great weekend everybody!

[Daisy]

Heyseed...

Just think in terms of it being like a nuc or swarm.

They'll do fine.

[Michael Bush]

>Does the position matter? I realize they will not re-use the old comb if it is turned 90 degrees. But will they take care of the eggs and brood? My hopes are that they will do so and begin building new comb to work.

They will take care of the brood regarless of the orientation of the comb. They will not like it and will either rework it or abandon it.

I guess that's what you mean by position?

Personally I just tie it in right side up and let them keep it as long as it seems like usuable decent comb. I only tie in the brood. The honey won't support it's own weight when tied in in this manner.

[Drifter]

I just moved a colony from a tree trunk . I rubber banded the comb into place with brood . Cutting the tree into slabs I finally located the queen .

I tried the small slab with the queen inside ontop of the hive body . She wouldn't go down . After moveing her and hive body to my beeyard . Placed the slab on the bottom under hive body . She migrated up over night .

Drifter