Moving hives in cold weather

[Swobee]

We have an opportunity to purchase some hives from a keeper wanting to get out of the business. The problem lies in that we're having colder than usual weather currently - highs in the 20's with ice & snow. We typically have some days in the 30's, 40's & sometimes 50's this time of year. They are about 100 miles away. He has a lot of other equipment in this package, but I can inspect that for problems and may end up having to burn some of it depending on what I find.

It will be difficult to inspect for diseases and pests this time of year. I don't really care to open the hives to inspect unless we get a warm, sunny day to do this. One tool I have is a flexible borescope to inspect without opening up a hive too much. I also have access to an Infrared Camera (these are way cool!). I used both once to locate the extent of a colony in a wall of an old house before a cut out so we didn't have to blindly tear things up too much.

How would you go about protecting hives for such a trip? We don't have an enclosed trailer or livestock trailer, but could maybe borrow or rent one to hold the 30 live hives. They're on pallets now. We'll look for a warmer, day to do this, but that's a gamble in Kansas- weather can change daily, even hourly. The whole thing is a crap shoot, but it may be worth it in the end. I'm just not sure how to prepare the hive bodies for such a trek. Maybe an enclosed trailer will be better to keep wind & cold air from blasting through the hives. I would consider leaving them in place, but would like to be able to keep a closer eye on them. Suggestions? Tarp them, enlcosed trailer, forget the deal 'til spring?

[Ian]

[QUOTE= I would consider leaving them in place, but would like to be able to keep a closer eye on them. Suggestions? Tarp them, enlcosed trailer, forget the deal 'til spring?[/QUOTE]

Well, your close eye will not do anything in terms of thier health or well being. Do you mean closer eye on them as in terms of thieft?

I would leave them well alone, do the deal in the sping after a quick inspection, your problem hives will die out over winter, by the spring survivours and that is when you make the deal on the rest of the equipment. If he will not wait on those terms, buy someother bees and equipment. There is lots around!

[Swobee]

Yes: theft & to be able to keep a general watch over them. We have two fairly well winter sheltered areas to place these hives and I don't know how well they are protected now. I agree that waiting to see what survives winter will be better. I can get them for next to nothing, which is probably more than they're worth. If he won't go for that, I'll make a very insulting offer on what is alive the day of inspection.

But, I'd still like to relocate them ASAP to feel better about the deal, have more control of liability and maybe be able to give them a quicker start-off in early spring.

[France]

If I was you, I wouldn't even think about messing with those, or any other for that matter, at this time of the year!

They are in a winter-mode! Piece and quiet is their best chance to make it through the winter.
If the seller insists that you take the whole shebang now - he/she probably has a good reason?!
As Ian said, make a deal in Spring. Buy the survivors (if there will be any?)
As long as bees were managed by man - they get started in Spring - not Fall....

[Carson]

I just got home from moveing 100 hives! It has been in the 20s all day + raining and really fogey where you have to drive 20mph.

I think you can move them but I woud wate tell spring that way you can take a look at them. Have your state inspecter take a look at them. In arkansas be for you buy any hives or bee stuff the inspecter is so post to come out an take a look at them.

[Panhandle Bee man]

I think the inspection of the hives will have to wait until warmer weather. However moving hives in the cold is no problem. If you had a trailer I would just load the trailer, through a tarp over the hives, strap everything down, and drive them to their new home. No need to screen them, block entrances, or anything like that. I would use a tarp, to cut down on the wind being blown into the hives but that is all.

[tecumseh]

I am with panhandle. for certain temp relative to how the bee arrive is not necessarily a linear scale.... or 32 degrees represents limited problems, at or approaching 0 you better be equiped to shield the load completely.

given that the equipment is questionable I would first check on the condition of the pallets. the very worst thing that could happen in freezing weather is for the bottoms to fall apart when you attempt to pick them up.