50. Avoid moving hives in the winter :

Avoid moving hives in the winter.

The minimum temperature required for moving hives is generally 50°F (10°C) or above. Relocating bee hives during very cold winter periods is highly discouraged for several critical reasons, primarily revolving around the unique survival strategies of the honeybee colony during winter:

1. Breaking the Winter Cluster:

Honeybees survive the cold by forming a tight "winter cluster." The queen and brood (if any) are at the centre, and worker bees huddle around them, vibrating their flight muscles to generate heat. The temperature within the core of the cluster is maintained at around 35°C (95°F) even when outside temperatures are freezing.

Moving a hive during extreme cold can disrupt this cluster. Jarring, tilting, or even the subtle changes in orientation can cause the cluster to break apart. Once the cluster is broken, individual bees on the periphery can quickly chill and die. If the queen or brood becomes separated from the core, they are also at high risk.

2. Increased Energy Consumption and Starvation Risk:

Maintaining the cluster's temperature requires immense energy, which bees get from consuming their stored honey.

A disturbed or broken cluster means bees have to work harder and consume significantly more honey to re-establish and maintain warmth.

This increased consumption can quickly deplete their vital winter stores, leading to starvation before spring arrives.

3. Inability to Re-orient and Forage:

During very cold periods, bees generally do not fly. If they are moved, they cannot perform orientation flights.

If they were to fly out on a warmer day shortly after a move, they might be disoriented and return to the old, now empty, location, leading to lost foragers and further weakening the colony.

4. Stress and Weakening of the Colony:

Any major disturbance, including relocation, is a significant stressor for a bee colony. Bees are already under stress in winter due to cold temperatures, limited food availability, and often increased mite loads.

Adding the stress of a move can compromise their health and resilience, making them more susceptible to disease and less likely to thrive in the spring.

5. Risk of Bee Death During Handling:

Bees are much less active in cold weather, making them brittle and more prone to physical injury during handling. You might accidentally crush more bees than usual when securing or moving hive components.

While emergency moves might sometimes be unavoidable (e.g., due to immediate danger to the hive), general practice dictates that hive relocations should be avoided during the coldest parts of winter to ensure the best chances of colony survival. Spring, once consistent warmth returns and bees are actively flying, is generally the preferred time for moving hives.