Hive Placement and Sunlight Exposure
The Science of Hive Placement: Maximizing Sunlight for Happy Bees
How to choose the best location for your beehive. It should cover aspects like hive orientation, the angle of the sun, protection from harsh weather, and the advantages of morning sun exposure. Step-by-step, explain how to analyze your apiary location for ideal sunlight.
- Southern exposure is ideal for beekeeping as it provides full sunlight and warmth.
- Wind protection is also important for beekeeping.
- Legislation in the Bees Act states that bees should not be kept closer than 30 meters to a property line or 10 meters to a road allowance.
- Hives should be placed in groups of two on a hive stand for efficiency and easy use of the smoker.
- Hives should be arranged in groups of six with entrances facing the middle for easy access and navigation for the bees.
- Providing water in the bee yard may be necessary if there are swimming pools nearby.
- Bee yards should be kept away from high traffic areas and laundry.
- Bee yards should be easily accessible for moving heavy items.
This video discusses the ideal location for keeping bees and how to raise them within the bee yard or apiary. The key points are:
- A southern exposure is ideal as the bees get full sunlight and function well as a colony when they are warm.
- Wind protection is important, but not absolutely necessary.
- In urban situations, the Bees Act legislation must be considered, which states that bees cannot be kept closer than 30 meters to a property line or 10 meters to a road allowance.
- Hives should be kept two together on a hive stand for efficiency and ease of use.
- Hives should be placed in groups, with entrances facing into the middle for easy smoking and work.
- Bee yards should be kept away from high traffic areas and laundry, and if near a swimming pool, water should be provided, as bees will go to the closest water source.
- The bee yard should be easily accessible to move heavy hives around.
Overall, while the ideal location for bees has southern exposure and wind protection, bees are adaptable and will do well in most locations as long as they are kept in a quiet area and the bee yard is accessible.
Summary:
- Southern exposure is ideal for bees
- Wind protection is important but not necessary
- Bees Act legislation must be considered in urban areas
- Hives should be kept two together for efficiency
- Hives should be placed in groups with entrances facing into the middle
- Bee yards should be kept away from high traffic areas and laundry
- Water should be provided if near a swimming pool
- Bee yard should be easily accessible