Table of Contents
Many experienced beekeepers suggest that the entrance of a beehive ideally should face towards the south or to the east. The southern exposure makes sense. During the winter months – at least in the northern hemisphere – the sun sits low on the southern horizon.
Does it matter which direction a beehive faces?
Bees do not care what direction their hive is facing. Bees in the wild have not demonstrated a statistical preference when choosing one direction for the front of their hives. Bees are flexible and will adjust to their environment. Bees may not care which way their hive is facing but as a beekeeper you certainly will.
Should beehives be in sun or shade?
The hive should be placed in early morning sun. This gets the bees out of their hive earlier in the day to forage. In the Northeast, hives can remain in the full sun for the entire season. However in places with warmer climates, hives should receive some afternoon shade.
Where is the best place to put beehives?
Ideally the hive will be placed in a location that is protected from harsh winds billowing into the hive entrances during the winter. Any obstruction blocking wind from the hive is good for temperature regulation, and can prevent hives from tipping in heavy storms.
Should a beehive face south?
House Bee. Supposed to point south to get the early sun, but some say it wont matter a jot. If your going for WBC’s then south is most important as these kinda need a bit more light/heat to get them going in the morning.
How far apart should beehives be placed?
I usually recommend at least two feet between hives. They should be further apart when installing new packages to help prevent absconding. Without take a class you may fail to gain the tools you need to help prevent your bees from all leaving when you try to shake them into your new hive. All will be lost.
How far away should bee hive be from house?
Instead, place your hives ten feet or more from the property line. Make sure there is a fence around your hives or yard to keep any inquisitive neighbors from accidently getting too close to your hives or walking into the bees’ flight path.
Can you put beehives in the woods?
Left to their own devices, honey bees would choose to live loftily on a tree line that strategically sits between a field of flowers and the woods. Safely tucked away in the hollow of a tree, they’d have the protection and shade they’d prefer, while still having easy access to pollen and nectar.
Do bees need sunlight to make honey?
The longer they work, the more honey they’ll produce. All beekeepers agree that both morning and evening sun have benefits to the hive. Beekeepers agree that morning sun is more important. Most beekeepers would agree that their beehives that they placed in the full sun are more productive than their shaded hives.
How do you attract bees to a beehive?
How to Attract Bees To a New Hive in 5 EASY Steps Determine When Swarm Season Is. Buy Or Build A Bait Hive. Use An Old Hive. Build A Bait Hive. Swarm Traps. Apply The Lure. Position Your Bait Box. Wait For The Bees To Move In.
How do you get bees to follow you?
Holding a flower attracts the attention of nearby bees and encourages them to follow you. You can use any flower for breeding (including Wither Roses, but they damage bees when they try to pollinate them).
What’s good for the bee is good for the hive?
They have demonstrated perfectly how our individual and collective futures depend on our ability to pull together for the common good. To quote Marcus Aurelius, “what is good for the hive is good for the bees”.
What do you put under bee hives?
The ground under and hives should be kept weed free. Some people place the hives on mulch, wood chips and even carpet remnants. I added a layer of wood chips to the ground where the hives would be located. I placed two cinder blocks per hive on the ground, one in the front and one in the back.
What direction should a beehive face in Australia?
Face the hive entrance away from the prevailing winds. Ideally, face the entrance in a southerly direction if you’re in the northern hemisphere and northerly direction for the southern hemisphere.
What is the best time of day to open a beehive?
Inspect your hives anytime it is warm enough and the sun is shining. The bees are not too active outside the hive at temps below 57 degrees The warm sunshine is going to get them out and about. Inspect your hives between the hours of 11:00 to 2:00.
How often should you open your beehive?
How Often Should I Inspect My Beehive? Late Winter to Spring Every 7-10 Days Late Spring to Late Summer Every 3-4 Weeks Early Fall to Winter No Inspections.
How difficult is bee keeping?
Beekeeping can be hard work. A ten frame medium super full of honey would weigh about 55 lbs (25 kg) each, so it’s a pretty good workout. Both harvesting honey and general care of your bees requires a certain amount of strength and physical fitness. Beekeepers are known for complaining about bad backs!.
Do you have to harvest honey from a beehive?
You can keep honeybees without harvesting honey but its not recommended due to several negative consequences. Your bees won’t have enough room to store excess honey, will become overpopulated, and then swarm. Swarming of unmaintained colonies increases the spread of disease and pests to other healthy colonies.
How much attention does a beehive need?
One source claims the total amount you need to spend with a hive comes in at around 15-30 hours a year. Another says that half an hour a week should be just fine for a beginner.
Is it safe to have a beehive in your backyard?
Tip. In certain circumstances, a backyard beehive poses a danger to humans and pets. An aggressive bee that feels threatened may sting, which can cause a painful bite, as well as an anaphylactic reaction in those who are allergic to bees.
