One of the biggest things you can do to set your honeybee colonies up for success is to put them in the right place. A beehive’s location plays a significant role in how the bees work, grow, and thrive. Like any other living creature, bees need food, water, durable shelter, and protection from predators. The right spot provides all of that and more.
Before you set up your hives and buy your bees, make sure you know exactly where the colonies will go. Learn more about the most important factors to consider when choosing where to place a beehive.
Look for Level Ground
You wouldn’t want a crooked house for yourself, and neither do the bees. Hives need level ground so the bees can build and work properly. Make sure the ground where you place your beehive is as flat as possible. If you have to set the hives up on more rugged terrain, use stones, wood, and other materials to build a stable and level foundation for the hives.
A level beehive is better for your bees when they build their comb. It also provides the colony with more stability, making it easy for the hive to withstand storms and strong winds. Moreover, working in and around a level hive is easier than trying to navigate a wobbly or tilted hive.
Ensure There Are Adequate Resources for the Bees
It’s also important to make sure your bees have easy access to all the resources they need to thrive. This includes safe sources of water, nectar, and pollen. Honeybees can travel up to a mile beyond the hive to find food and water, so keep those limitations in mind as you contemplate the hive’s location.
You can also help your bees out by creating a bee-friendly garden for them near the hive. Pollinator-friendly plants such as wildflowers, flowering herbs, and berries are perfect for attracting your bees and giving them a stable source of pollen and nectar. Consider creating a freshwater source with stones, twigs, and other places for your bees to safely land. Bird baths are a popular and beautiful option, but you can use any shallow pool of water. Never use any pesticides or other chemicals in your bee garden or anywhere else your honeybees might forage.
Face the Hive Toward the Sun
Just like all living things, bees need sunlight. Positioning beehives east to face the sunrise helps the colony warm up in the mornings, encouraging them to be active early in the day. This also ensures there’s plenty of sunlight warming the hive in the winter, making it easier for the bees to stay warm as they huddle together throughout the cold season.
Prevent the Bees From Overheating
Sunlight is important for bees, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. If your hives are in direct sunlight all day long, they can overheat in the afternoon. This can cause lethargic bees that struggle to forage, make honey, and fulfill other crucial responsibilities in and around the hive. Overheating also poses a health risk for your colonies.
Partial shade cover will keep the hive cool in the heat of the day, especially during the warm summer months. This ensures the bees stay safe, healthy, and productive no matter the weather.
Look for Natural Wind Blocks
Beehives are pretty sturdy, but heavy winds can be catastrophic if you’re not careful. Trees, shrubs, fences, and other structures make good wind blocks to prevent strong spring storms or harsh winter winds from damaging the hives. These wind blocks can also help prevent frigid drafts that threaten your bees during the wintertime.
If there’s no natural wind block near where you want to place your hives, you can always build one yourself. Planting shrubs nearby is a visually pleasing option. Placing hay bales around the hive will serve as a temporary solution.
Pay Attention to Drainage Around the Hive
Pooled water and flooding can wreak havoc on your colonies, drowning your bees and leading to mildew, mold, and other hazards. While you want to place the hive on level ground, it’s also important to make sure the area around the hive’s base drains properly. Look for firm land where you won’t get puddles and where the hive won’t sink into muddy ground.
This is another reason to build stone or wooden foundations to keep your bee hives slightly off the ground. In addition to preventing flooding and other water damage, raised foundations help keep pests and predators out, protecting your bees from all kinds of hazards.
Give Yourself Room To Work
You also need to consider your own needs whenchoosing where to place a beehive. Ensure that the hives are easily accessible whenever you need to conduct inspections, collect honey, or perform beekeeping maintenance.
Additionally, you need to give yourself a comfortable amount of room to work. If the land around your hive is difficult to maneuver around, you’ll have a difficult time dismantling the hives for inspections.
Consider Local Regulations
Beehives are welcome in a lot of places, including many cities. However, there are local rules and ordinances you must follow when choosing a location for your bees.
Pay attention to regulations about the number of beehives you can have on your property, how big the lot must be for the hives, and what kind of security you need to have in place. You should also consider the bees’ flight patterns; neither you nor your neighbors want bees buzzing around busy public sidewalks.
Following these rules isn’t just about legal compliance; it’s also respectful to your community. Being mindful of the bees’ activities makes it easier for your colonies and your neighbors to coincide peacefully. You’ll gain peace of mind knowing that your bees are out of harm’s way whenever they forage around the area.
Follow Proper Beekeeping Techniques With Dadant & Sons
At Dadant & Sons, we know that the right supplies can go a long way toward keeping your bees safe, happy, and productive. Give your colony the safety and stability they need to thrive with our 10-frame bee hives. These hives combine dependable construction with a functional design, creating a durable solution for the bees. Bring your bee colony life when you explore the hives and other high-quality beekeeping supplies at Dadant & Sons today.