The insurance is hard. Very few companies want to expose themselves to the
perceived liability and those that do aren't the best companies to have
insurance through (in my opinion). It was suggested to me to try the Farm
Bureau so that may be a lead. I think you're onto the easiest solution- what
bees?? Move them out, get insured, move them back. Moving is tricky this time
of year. My advice is pick the coolest night. To get more inside I have had
good luck with spraying the outside with a light rain/ mist from a garden
sprayer. Most of the time this puts them inside and then I close off the
entrance with #8 hardware cloth. You can also put some screen material (too
small for bees to get through) securely over the top (under the lid) and pull
the lid off after dark. This can chill the hive enough the bees go inside to
help keep brood warm. I have had mixed results with this but it helped once.
The water method works the best and is all I use- if that. I don't mind a few
bees still outside as long as the entrance is closed they seem to remain at the
entrance unless a lot of light is put on them. Either way give them as much
ventilation as you can. Don't worry about chilling them this time of year in
ABQ but do worry about overheating them. Hope this helps.

--- In ABQBeeks@yahoogroups.com, Andy Wright <merembemuno@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Two questions:
>
> 1. We've recently had a problem with our homeowner's insurance with Hartford
> and our bees. They are canceling our policy because of the bees, cracks in
> our driveway, and a few other less problematic problems (and, no, we've not
> made any homeowner's claims in 6 years or caused them any hassles). We think
> they are downsizing their business in ABQ and are using any excuses.
> However....
>
> Anyone ever hear of this? Our bees are in a far corner of our back yard at
> least 100 feet from anyone's windows or play areas, in a corner with 6 foot
> high and higher cinderblock and plant covered chain link fences.
>
> 2. We've 4 hives there. We want to move them so we can get another
> homeowner's policy, but the bees are clumping outside the hives overnight
> (probably the heat), and we don't want to loose bees by moving them at this
> time.
>
> We'd appreciate any and all thoughts and suggestions.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Laura and Andy Wright
>