Any Apiarists Out There?

[BadtzBee]

Is it normal for bees to abandon a 2 month old hive?

The bees set up shop about 2 months ago, and I have been very happy to watch them pollinating and doing various bee activities (good for the ecology and all that).

Woke up this morning, and not a bee to be seen, just their hive. Any clues?

Edited January 14, 2012 by BadtzBee

[BadtzBee]

[personchester]

It happened several times in my big garden trees, after about 2 months they disappear, living their hives fully behind, I don't know the reason for there departure.

[BadtzBee]

Thanks for the reply. I asked some locals the same question, and they pretty much said the same as you, but added that they think that they move to get closer to a water source.

Funny thing is, I purposely never mentioned the hive (prior to them moving) for fear of the locals "raiding" the hive for its honey: around here anything edible is fair game, and most things seem to be edible.

My wife had a nice explanation for the bee exodus; the bees moved in at the same time we moved into our new home, and apparently this is a sign of good fortune. Now, having done their job, they have moved on to bless some other lucky household!