QA

Where To Place Bee Hives

No direct wind– Hives should be placed in an area with a wind break such as a fence, shrubbery, trees or bushes. This is especially true in climates where temperatures drop below freezing. Northern facing sides of the hive should especially be protected in the winter in the northern United States.

Where should I place my bee hives?

Location fundamentals for your beehives Face your hive to the southeast. Position your hive so that it’s easily accessible come honey harvest time. Provide a windbreak at the rear of the hive. Put the hive in dappled sunlight. Make sure the hive has good ventilation.

How far should beehives 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.

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.

Which way should beehives face?

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.

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.

What do I do if my neighbor has bees?

Just stay still. Once a bee realizes you’re not a flower and have no sweet nectar or sugar water to offer, it will go peacefully on its way. If your neighbor invites you to observe their beehive, keep a safe distance. We generally recommend standing at least ten feet away and never directly in front of the entrance.

Can my Neighbour keep bees?

“Beekeepers have the right to keep bees. Their neighbours have the right to enjoy their property in peace. Badly kept and positioned colonies can be a nuisance”. It is a beekeeper’s responsibility to avoid their bees becoming a nuisance and to take appropriate steps if they so become.

Do honeybees like shade?

Place colonies where they’ll have some protection from the late afternoon sun. Thomas Seeley in Honeybee Democracy says of bait hives: . . . a good location is about 5 meters off the ground, highly visible but fully shaded, and facing south. All these comments indicate that bees prefer a home in the shade.

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.

How high off the ground should a beehive be?

A. While this is heavily dependant on your stature, an ideal height for a hive stand is approximately 18in off of the ground. Unless you are 6’5″, this height will be ideal for working your hives without destroying your back.

What is the best time of day to inspect a beehive?

Inspect your hives between the hours of 11:00 to 2:00. The worker bees will be out foraging so you won’t have as many to contend with. Inspect whenever you have time and the sun is shining.

Will an empty beehive attract bees?

Yes, an empty beehive will attract bees. Even if it isn’t positioned up in a tree or converted to a bait hive, the scout bees can smell residual beeswax in the wood. If you have an empty hive and want to make it more attractive to bees, you can add a swarm lure.

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.

Can you keep bee hives in residential areas?

Despite appearing to be an impossibility on first observation, it is quite possible to keep bees in residential or even heavily residential areas. Because of the factors affecting residential beekeepers, they will almost always act as a hobbyist beekeeper, or in some areas rent a hive from a local commercial beekeper.

What happens if you disturb a beehive?

Once they disturb the hive, a swarm of bees immediately starts pouring out and attacking the crew. You can see the bees pounding the darker part of their suits, such as their masks, and even hear some of them make contact with the mask.

What do you do with a beehive in your backyard?

How to Get Rid of a Beehive or Nest Give the bees space. Keep pets and people allergic to stings away from bee-infested areas. Figure out where the bees are coming from. Avoid using spray insecticides or traps. Call a professional to handle bee removal. Remove all traces of the hive and repair any damage.