Moving bees into a beehive in Minecraft is a rewarding process that allows you to harness the power of these industrious insects for honey and honeycomb. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, addressing common questions and offering helpful tips.
What You'll Need
Before you start, make sure you have the following items:
- A Beehive or Bee Nest: You'll need an empty beehive or a bee nest you've already located. Bee nests are found naturally in forests and are slightly harder to harvest.
- A Bottle: To collect honey.
- Shears: To harvest honeycomb.
- A Smoker: This is crucial. It calms the bees, preventing them from stinging you. Fuel the smoker with any burnable item.
Finding Bees and Their Nest
First, you'll need to locate a bee nest. Bees naturally generate in forests and flower forests biomes. Look for large, hanging nests usually on the side of trees. They will have bees flying around them.
Moving Bees into a Beehive: Step-by-Step
-
Prepare Your Smoker: Fill your smoker with fuel and light it. Keep it active throughout the process.
-
Place the Beehive: Place your empty beehive within a reasonable distance (about 2 blocks away, sometimes further) from the bee nest. Ensure the beehive is at the same level or slightly below the bee nest for easier transfer.
-
Use the Smoker: Hold the smoker and carefully approach the bee nest. Right-click to use the smoker. The smoke calms the bees, significantly reducing the risk of being stung.
-
Wait: After smoking, wait for the bees to return to the nest. Once the bees are mostly inside, move on to the next step.
-
Break the Bee Nest: Gently break the bee nest using an axe. This will drop the bee nest. Note: It's highly recommended to do this at night or when most of the bees are inside the nest, and you must continue using your smoker.
-
Place the Bee Nest: Quickly pick up the bee nest. Do not place it immediately.
-
Place the Bees: Once the bee nest is in your inventory, place your empty beehive. This might take a few tries. A successful placement will result in the bees moving from the nest into the hive.
-
Harvest Honey and Honeycomb: Once the bees are established in the beehive, you can harvest honey bottles using a bottle on the beehive and harvest honeycomb using shears.
What if the Bees Don't Move?
Sometimes, the bees might be reluctant to move. Here's what you can do:
- Check the Distance: Make sure the beehive is within a reasonable distance of the bee nest.
- More Smoke: Use the smoker liberally to keep the bees calm and less defensive.
- Time of Day: Attempting this at night or during periods of rain can increase your success rate.
- Placement: The placement of the beehive might also affect the bees' willingness to move. Try different positions nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you move bees from one beehive to another?
Yes, you can generally use the same method as described above to move bees from one hive to another, keeping them calm with the smoker.
How many bees are in a bee nest or beehive?
A bee nest or hive usually holds up to 3 bees.
Do bees die when you move their nest?
No, the bees will not die, but they will get angry and sting you if you don't use the smoker.
What happens if I don't use a smoker?
If you don't use a smoker, the bees will become aggressive and sting you repeatedly, causing damage and possibly making you ill.
This comprehensive guide will help you successfully move bees into your beehive in Minecraft. Remember to prioritize safety and patience. With a little care and the right tools, you'll be harvesting honey and honeycomb in no time!
