I have heard fom experienced beeks..
Use newspaper to combine bees even if originally from the same hive and apart for a week or so.
If adding frames of bees to hive shake off all clinging bees or they will fight
If adding bees to a hive it is OK if they are from 3 hives but will fight if from 2 hives
BUT if you want equalize hives you simply place the weak one in a strong hives position.
I have a row of hives..all very close together...that consist of this years packages, nucs and swarms. Before winter I would like to group those that are in deeps and those that are in nucs. I was hoping as they are all in a line to pick a cool rainy weel and simply move to where I want them in the row and let the field bees equalize the numbers.
Can someone with experience please advise on the validity of the above comments and let me know if moving my hives as proposed is functionally feasible.
Thanks
Use newspaper to combine bees even if originally from the same hive and apart for a week or so.
If adding frames of bees to hive shake off all clinging bees or they will fight
If adding bees to a hive it is OK if they are from 3 hives but will fight if from 2 hives
BUT if you want equalize hives you simply place the weak one in a strong hives position.
I have a row of hives..all very close together...that consist of this years packages, nucs and swarms. Before winter I would like to group those that are in deeps and those that are in nucs. I was hoping as they are all in a line to pick a cool rainy weel and simply move to where I want them in the row and let the field bees equalize the numbers.
Can someone with experience please advise on the validity of the above comments and let me know if moving my hives as proposed is functionally feasible.
Thanks