Moving honeybee from Arcahaie to La Gonave in Feburary

Moving honeybees from the mainland of Haiti (Arcahaie) to La Gonave will be the longest movement of honeybees that we have even undertaken.  Currently we are researching ways to move the honeybees from the distance.  Logistically it is a major challenge due to moving the bees across water.  Simply put we see this as a challenge but one that we are very excited about.

The hives could be several hundred pounds each.  Moving the bees have to be done at the right time of day, right temperature, and right weather.  We also want to make sure that we move the bees with the most amount of forager honeybees.  These are the honeybees that search for nectar, pollen, and water.  Without these bees, the hive will die.  Loosing a few isn't a big deal, but loosing too many foragers is disaster.

So what is the best solution?  Moving the honeybees at night.  While this still has to be done with care, night offers cooler temperatures, honeybees are typically inside the hive for the night, less vehicle traffic at night, and the honeybees are less aggressive around this time.

We are very excited to put hives on the island.  Tomorrow I head to a meadery to see how mead is made.  A similar meadery could be heading to La Gonave.  Stay tuned.

Go Gonave!