Chris, I live up in Canada we move bees during the winter, and at  thirty 
five degrees F, load them up and move them off, but don't close them off 
(because they need Oxygen). Some bees might come out(less than 1%), but the 
entire cluster will heat up during travel and will expand. You will have 
minimal damage as long as the rest of wintering is calm.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Campolo, Chris" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 5:35 PM
Subject: [BEE-L] moving bees


>I need some expert advice here.  We need to move three hives from a 
>farmer's field to our house, about thirty miles.  It is cold, maybe thirty 
>five degrees F in the morning.  If we go out in the morning, close them up, 
>and bring them home, I'm worried that the shaking of the drive will agitate 
>them into leaving their ball, and then they'll get too cold and die.
>
> Is this a legitimate worry, or can I move them on one of these very cold 
> days without special risks?
>
> Many thanks for any advice.
>
> --Chris C.
>
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