[philip.devos]

I have gotten an idea in my head that when it is desireable to move a frame with bees from one hive to another, there is a likelhood that serious fighting would break out and many dead bees will die. I guess I got this from the practice of using newspaper to do combines. I am hesitant to add frames with open brood (with bees) when I have a queenless hive, fearing the worst. In recent weeks I have heard otherwise, that the threat of all out war is very overrated.

I would appreciate input from the experience of more seasoned beeks on this. Can frames with bees be moved from one hive to another routinely? Thanks for your replies.

 

[clyderoad]

yes, it's done all the time. It's best to move a brood frame with mostly nurse bees so give it a moderate shake to knock off the older bees. The young nurse bees will hold tight to the brood. Check real well that the queen isn't on it.

 

[RayMarler]

queenless bees, especially with brood, do not cause fighting. You can take one from from each of several hives, so long as each frame is queenless, no fighting will occur.

 

[philip.devos]

Thanks for the helpful input.

Phil

 

[Tenbears]

I do not even give them a shake, the forager bees don't even realize they are in a different hive in most instances the pheromones from the brood tend to mask the queen a bit. Just Me, But if I am trying to give a hive a boost I want to give it the best I cam, and every nurse helps. once they leave the hive they return home.