I have to move new hives!

**thestainedglasschick** · 05-21-2011, 07:35 AM

I just installed my 2 hives 2 weeks ago. I'm having a yard sale this morning and my next door neighbor came over. We got to talking about the bees and she mentioned that Orkin comes out a few times during the summer to spray for misquitos. My hives are right up against the split rail fence we share. She said she would talk to them about not spraying near my hives but I just don't trust them and I don't want to run the risk of them killing all my bees.

So my question is how can I safely move them to the other side of my lot? The only other spot I can safely put them is about 100 feet away from where they are now.

**Grant** · 05-21-2011, 07:48 AM

This will be very tricky unless you can move them a greater distance...some say two miles.

I think the first place to start is with Orkin. Ask them what they are spraying and how toxic it is to bees. I might even suggest (don't know how true this will be as local laws vary) their liability if your bees die. Moving them across the yard will, maybe, protect them from the active spray mist. What about the residual spray on plants and water sources?

Then if you safely move them, what will you do if your other neighbor calls Orkin?

Tough place. I wish you well.

Grant
Jackson, MO

**MDS** · 05-21-2011, 08:06 AM

If it becomes a must do that you move them, close them up late evening when foragers have returned. Have your new hive stands already in place and move them across the yard. What else can you do?

**mac** · 05-21-2011, 08:33 AM

MB tells ya how to do it on his web site. I think it's bushfarms.com very informative.

**Ben Brewcat** · 05-21-2011, 09:15 AM

I wouldn't move them unless you know you have to. Some mosquito sprays are not harmful to bees (Bt or variants in ditches for example is common out here), but as noted you MUST check with the applicator. Chances are you can just cover-and-close, protecting the bees during the application, then release them. Skeeters don't frequent honeybee forage, and like I said a lot of times the sprays are targeting mosq larvae and not doing a broad insecticide blanket.

**Acebird** · 05-21-2011, 02:39 PM

I would ask the neighbor why they are spraying. Mosquitos need still water to breed so is there a pond in their yard?

**Peter** · 05-21-2011, 03:07 PM

Around here they don't spray for larvae, they are spraying for adult mozzies. A couple of times a year a truck will go around all the roads spraying the vegeation on every side. Residents are advised to post notices on their property stating No Spray if they don't want it sprayed.
Last year I was out back with the bees when a guy with a power sprayer came around the edges of the neighbour's yard sparaying the tree foliage 40-50 foot up. Luckily the wind was in the opposite direction from the hives and he stopped when I pointed out that there were bee hives on the other side of the stone wall he was spraying above.
I believe the reason they are spraying for adults is that they carry Eastern equine encephalitis virus along with various other diseases.

**thestainedglasschick** · 05-21-2011, 06:06 PM

We are very close to the Occoquan River and I must admit that we do have a serious problem with mosquito problem.

I'm going to call Orkin on Monday and see what sort of info I can get out of them. I'll keep you posted!

**honeybeekeeper** · 05-21-2011, 06:25 PM

Yes i would definitely call Orkin first and see how strong the chemicals are that they are spraying with and pretty much tell them specifically why your calling and perhaps where your bees are located so your covered! If you have to move them in that short of distance i would wait until late when the foragers are back in the hive and close up the hive. Once you have them set up in the new spot i would either keep them closed for a day or place a tree limb in front or push some grass in the entrance so they will reorient themselves! If not you just might find them flying around in the area the hives was sitting originally. I have read on here a few times where some moved their hives and everything was fine, but most of the time the bees will fly right back to where the hive used to be if they are not moved 2 feet or 2 miles! Here is another thread that has the same problem, moved the bees and they returned to the old location!

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...-have-returned

**Acebird** · 05-22-2011, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Peter

Last year I was out back with the bees when a guy with a power sprayer came around the edges of the neighbour's yard sparaying the tree foliage 40-50 foot up.

Sure, kill off the birds and reptiles that naturally pray on mosquitoes so there is a requirement to keep spraying. That's what I would do if I wanted dependency on chemicals. It is pretty hard to save the environment when you are dead set on killing it. Why bother with the bees?