Alfred wrote:Or even move the shed over a few ft each day- they would only suspect something's up but not be able to prove it.
But in fairness this is exactly the sort of situation where a place a few miles down the road you can hung a box for a few weeks makes life so much easier. It doesn’t have to be called an apiary, just a now and again spot for some temporarily grumpy queenless bees, a bait hive with occupants but in the wrong place or a vertical split you don’t want to unite, whatever.
Just ask a local friend if you might stick a hive now and again at the end of their garden maybe. It is just a load easier sometimes to bung a hive somewhere else until you can sort them out and position where you want. Incidentally I seen it suggested it has to be at least 6 weeks until all the the flyers have perished. I would suggest that is unnecessary and can be a lot sooner if you wish it to be.