Nomadic apiary: features of moving beekeeping, pros and cons, conditions

The principle of a nomadic apiary is based on the transportation of bees from place to place to collect nectar. Beekeepers say that this way you can get more honey than a traditional apiary, which is more economical. Consider the reasons for the emergence of this method of breeding, advantages and disadvantages, what transport and equipment are required, how to properly prepare the hives, when to transport the hives and what conditions are required for this.

Reasons for appearance

Nomadic beekeeping was developed because beekeepers do not always have enough space for insects to feed from it all the time.Transportation of hives makes it possible to find new places where bees can take a lot of nectar, you can get a pure type of honey - from the kind of plants that is preferable. This type of beekeeping is used if the food supply is not suitable for the bees.

Standard distance at which bees fly from the houses is 2-5 km, at such a distance or a little more you need to take out the houses. It is advisable to make transportation 2 times per season, it is no longer recommended.

Pros and cons of nomadic apiaries

Nomadic apiaries are used because this is the only way to collect a pure type of honey, which is appreciated by buyers. You can collect more products than from a traditional apiary, because the bees have unhindered access to food. You can start harvesting earlier than the standard time, and the harvest time is also extended - until late autumn. The honey harvest schedule can be easily controlled.

The use of a nomadic apiary is especially recommended for those beekeepers who have difficulty finding a place in a close area or simply want to get more production from the hives.

Disadvantages of using a nomadic apiary include the need to transport beehives from place to place, living near the apiary with minimal amenities, looking for new places to transport, looking after the beehives.

Transport Requirements

The type of transport depends on the number of hives, frequency of transport, category and driver. If there are a lot of hives, you need a machine with a large carrying capacity. If the mass of the houses is more than 750 kg, then the driver needs to get a category E license. If the license is category C, then the transport must be converted.

When using a tractor and trailer, you need to obtain a special certificate. If the beekeeper does not have transport and rights, then there is still a way out - you can order transportation from companies. Sometimes decommissioned equipment is used, for example, a bus, at least a dozen beehives will fit into it.

Inventory

For transportation and work in the apiary, various devices and equipment will be required. For transportation, you need to stock up on a net to provide insects with sufficient ventilation and prevent them from steaming. You need to purchase bars that level and fasten the rows of hives, a mesh sling to close the houses from the outside (then you can make a canopy for the beekeeper on the spot). The beekeeper will also need to make and bring along a house to stay and household items.

To work with bees you will need: a main and spare smoker, carpentry tools. Roevni, a spray gun, empty houses where, if necessary, bees can be relocated, a lantern.

Preparing for the transport of beehives

For spring transportation, when it's not hot outside, you only need fasteners. In summer, there may already be honey in the frames, therefore, so that they do not fall on the bees and brood during transportation, you need to remove them from the houses and put them around the perimeter of the trailer.The immobility of the frames must be provided with special separators. If the honey collection is completed, the hives can be transported along with the combs.

If transportation takes more than a day, the houses should be covered with a net to protect them from overheating. All objects inside the hives that can fall must be secured, securely fixed. Honeycombs and frames are desirable to be removed.

Under what conditions can bees be transported?

It is best to transport bees at night or during the day in cloudy weather, when it is not hot. At night, the insects sleep, there are fewer cars on the roads, and on a rainy day, there is less risk of melting and falling honeycombs.

The best time to move is after the insects are out of winter, if you move them to the place early, they will quickly get used to it. In the spring, there are still not many brood and adult bees in the houses, there is still no honey in the frames, and therefore they weigh a little.This makes transporting the hives much easier.

The nomadic apiary method is recommended for those beekeepers who have a limited area in which to keep bees. Transportation to different places gives more opportunities to obtain a significant amount of honey and improve its quality. A nomadic apiary has many advantages, but for such breeding you need to have transport, find new places suitable for gathering and live in the apiary yourself or hire guards.

Recommended