CHAPTER III 



REMOVING BEES 



Bees when taking their first flight carefully mark the 

 situation of their hive, and having once taken their bear- 

 ings, apparently never trouble themselves further, but 

 return from whatever direction they may have flown 

 with unerring instinct. Therefore, whenever it becomes 

 necessary to move bees from one situation to another, 

 special precautions must be taken to ensure the bees 

 marking the change of locality. 



If bees be moved a distance of two miles and over, the 

 change of locality is at once apparent to them, and the 

 new situation is carefully marked. Swarms invariably 

 take fresh bearings, as also do bees when reduced to the 

 conditions of a swarm, as, for instance, after driving. 



Should it be necessary to move stocks a short dis- 

 tance in the spring, they should be moved one or two 

 feet each day, when the bees are fifing freely, until the 

 desired site be reached. 



When bees have been confined for a period of fourteen 

 days or over by stress of weather (as in winter), they 

 may be moved short distances with comparative safety. 



Before moving a hive bodily, the combs in the brood 

 nest must be secured in such a manner as to prevent 

 their swinging about and crushing the bees, and care 

 must be taken that complete ventilation is provided, as 

 the excitement set up causes a considerable rise of 

 temperature. Remove all the quilts but one, then 

 screw flat strips of wood across the frames (over the 



