[wild-b]

I'm moving a hive that is without a queen and just not thriving well. When is the best time to move it, early or late?

 

[mattheritage]

Some may disagree but I'd say wait till near dark when all forgers are back. Plug the entance and move it. When you get it into place put something in front of the entrance that will disrupt their flight path. This will make them (in theory) reoriente to the new location.

 

[wild-b]

Thanks !! I'm moving it to combine with another hive about 10 miles away.

 

[Tenbears]

It really makes no difference when you move it as long as you do so when all the bees are home. some like to move them at dark, and some in the morning. For a combine I generally close them up in the wee hours of the morning before daylight brings on activity. Then when I get to the new location I can do my combine in daylight. By doing it this way I only make one trip to either Apiary. Moving them in the evening, requires you to return the next day to do the combine, or do it in the dark, which makes for some angry bees.

 

[hlhart2014]

How big is the hive? And how far are you moving it? Had a small swarm that needed to be combined with larger hive. It was only in a 10 frame deep. I plugged the holes with toilet paper and hubby and picked it up bottom board and all early AM before bees were out and moved about 100 feet to do a combine that morning. No problems.