Question about swapping hives .

[WV Hillbilly]

      I hived 4 packages this spring in one of my locations . They are in a fairly
straight row with 2 - 3 feet between hives . They are now in double deeps . One
hive on the right end seems extremley strong . I am thinking of going through
all four hives & swapping places with the strongest & weakest hives . If I swap
them at night will the field bees from each hive come out in the morning & return
to their original hive site or will they be really confused ? I know I could also
swap them in the afternoon while most of the field bees are out . Any pros or cons
for either method ?          Thanks in advance .

[Brian D. Bray]

      I hived 4 packages this spring in one of my locations . They are in a fairly
straight row with 2 - 3 feet between hives . They are now in double deeps . One
hive on the right end seems extremley strong . I am thinking of going through
all four hives & swapping places with the strongest & weakest hives . If I swap
them at night will the field bees from each hive come out in the morning & return
to their original hive site or will they be really confused ? I know I could also
swap them in the afternoon while most of the field bees are out . Any pros or cons
for either method ?          Thanks in advance .

Either way will work.  Returning bees will go to the sight they left.  Bees leaving in the morning won't take the time to reorientate to a hive's being moved unless some sign (limb, etc) is set up to make them.