Moving a hive without losing the foragers

Stingless bees memorise their entrance by the landmarks around it. Move the box three metres across the same garden and returning foragers will fly to the old spot, circle, and die there. The paradox is that moving far is safer than moving a little.

The rule: under a metre, or over three kilometres

Shifts of under a metre at a time let the bees adjust. A move beyond about three kilometres puts the colony entirely outside its known landscape, so it re-learns immediately. The dangerous zone is everything in between — tens to hundreds of metres.

Method 1: short steps

Move no more than a metre at a time, with at least three days between moves. Slow, but almost no losses. Use this when relocating within the same plot.

Method 2: move away, then bring back

To shift a box a few dozen metres, take it somewhere more than three kilometres away, leave it about three weeks so the colony forgets entirely, then bring it back to the new position. Inconvenient, but it is the only option when step-moving is not possible.

Long-distance moves: do it at night

Close the entrance after dark, when every bee is home. Cover it with breathable mesh, never seal it airtight. Secure the box so it cannot shift, and travel while it is cool. On arrival, place it in the prepared position and open the entrance straight away — do not leave a closed box standing into the next midday.

After the move: leave it alone

Three to seven days with no opening, no shifting and nobody standing in front of the entrance. The colony needs time to accept the site, and this is also when it is most likely to abscond if disturbed.

Frequently asked

How long can the entrance stay closed?

With breathable mesh and the box kept cool, several hours is tolerable. Sealed airtight or left in the sun, even tens of minutes becomes dangerous.

Can I move a hive by motorbike?

For short distances, yes, provided the box is firmly secured and not jolted. Keep it upright, never tilted.

How long until normal activity resumes?

Usually one to two weeks. Bees circling in front of the entrance in the first week are recording new landmarks, not a bad sign.