Beehive Placement: Where Should I Place My Hives?

Beehive Placement: Where Should I Place My Hives?

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By Sue Norris– Real estate agents love to say, “Location, location, location!” So it is with beehive placement. The right location will benefit them (and you) tremendously. If they don’t like the area, they may move — an act known as “absconding.” So, let’s take a closer look at their needs and how you can help them and keep these industrious little creatures in your yard. 

Location can be determined by several things, not the least of which is your available space. 

If you are an urban beekeeper, there may be zoning ordinances, so check the zoning laws. Also, consider your neighbors, and try to be considerate when setting up your hive. 

If you want to keep bees in an urban area but have no space to set up, look around for community gardens or someone who will rent you some land; some folks will even let you set up your hives for a share of the honey. Think creatively! 

Sun and Warmth 

Like humans, bees like to wake up to sunshine and warmth, so your beehive placement should be where it will get the early morning sun. The entrance should face east or south for optimal morning warmth, and dappled sunlight is ideal, as provided by trees or hedges. 

Early morning sunlight and warmth are essential to get the bees out and about their business. The sun’s warmth will help keep the hive at an optimal temperature for the colony. 

Shade 

For the bees to do their tasks of raising brood and housekeeping, they need to have appropriate warmth and humidity. 

Scorching days can cause the bees to move out of the hive and start “bearding.” They do this as a form of air conditioning to reduce the temperature and increase ventilation inside the hive, which is vital for brood survival. 

Shade can help bees maintain hive temperature during brutal afternoon sun. Place your hives under afternoon shade from trees or buildings, or use structures such as umbrellas. Some folks place their hives in lightly wooded areas. 

Shelter 

Place the hive facing in the direction the wind blows from the least. The wind blowing into the beehive entrance can cool the hive, making the bees work harder to keep the interior warm. 

You can plant flowering hedges as windbreaks on the sides of the hive; they will eventually provide the bees with pollen, too. 

If you live in a particularly wind-prone area or have your hives in a field with livestock such as sheep, cows, or goats, using tie-downs may be necessary to prevent accidental tipping of the hive.

Water 

Bees need a water source where they can gather the moisture they need. A small birdbath, a small fountain, or even a shallow pan works well. Place lots of pebbles or marbles inside for bees to stand on to avoid drowning.

Place the container near the hive, where you can check it regularly. You will have other critters using it, so top it up daily and keep it clean. 

Ease of Access 

This one is for you, not the bees! Ensure your beehive placement is easy to access. 

The area should be flat and easy to walk on. If you have more than one hive, consider how much space you will need to maneuver between hives while carrying equipment. Some say as little as two feet is sufficient, but when honey harvest time comes, you will likely need much more space. I like around five feet between hives, which gives me plenty of room to park a small handcart I use for harvesting. 

If you are disabled, perhaps add a chair or bench for sitting or enough room to move around in a wheelchair. 

Predators 

There is always someone searching for a free meal, and wild animals are no exception. Skunks and raccoons rarely cause significant damage, although they may chew at the hive. 

Bears are the primary threat to hives. If a bear visits the hive, it may be totally destroyed, honey gone, and dead and dying bees scattered around. 

In areas where bear predation is a problem, people have built chain link “compounds” around their hives. The compounds usually have a chain link roof, too, since bears climb well. You can also electrify the fencing to ensure the bears don’t return. If you use a solar fence, ensure the battery is well-charged. 

Smaller pests, such as mice and ants, enjoy a hive’s comfort and bounty. Raising the hive off the ground using blocks and guards can help deter these honeybee predators. I use a small piece of hardware mesh as a permanent mouse guard over the entrance, and it doesn’t bother the bees at all. 

Level Feet 

Keeping your hive level is very important for stability. From the human point of view, it is better to work on a level surface. 

Ideally, beehive placement should be slightly off the ground. Not only will this keep it from getting wet and eventually rotting, but it will also prevent the hive from becoming moisture-laden and perhaps encourage mold growth in the warm interior. 

Food 

Bees can fly around five miles a day looking for nectar. Of course, the nearer it is, the better. It’s not just the garden flowers that supply the bees. The black locust tree is a rich source of pollen and nectar early in the season, and plenty of goldenrod provides it in the fall.

If you are an avid gardener, try to choose bee-friendly plants such as bee balm, honeysuckle, coneflowers, and butterfly bushes. One of the first flowering plants is the humble dandelion, avidly sought out by the bees. 

If you’ve already placed your hive, but need to move it, follow the rule of threes:  Don’t move it more than three feet — or less than three miles — in a day. This avoids confusing the bees, as they may try to return to their previous location. To move a hive across a yard, move it three feet per day until you reach the new destination. Moving across town, at a distance of three or more miles, keeps bees from recognizing surrounding landmarks and returning to their old home.

Providing a comfortable home increases the chances that your bees won’t go looking for another. 

Do you have other rules you follow when planning your beehive placement? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Originally published in the March/April 2023 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.

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