Installation- Set up

Which direction should beehives face?

Beehives can thrive in the city, countryside, rooftops, in a field, and even in the corner of the garden. Thankfully, you don’t require much space or a flower farm on your property. They can travel up to 5 miles to forage.  While these lovelies are adaptable, there are some guidelines to follow for optimum results. An ideal spot should have good drainage, protection from direct wind, levelled, and a nearby water source. There are three essential factors to consider when selecting a location for your hive. These include your family, neighbours, and the bees. The location dramatically affects the strength of your colony. A hive can’t thrive when wrongly positioned. 

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Which direction should beehives face?

Beehives should face the east or the southeast direction. If you are in the southern hemisphere, it should face the northeast. With this orientation, the early morning sun will hit the hive early, helping the ladies to start their chores early. Bees don’t start their day before the hive gains some heat. Once the hive attains the necessary heat, the older worker bees can begin foraging. By starting the day earlier, the hive is more productive.  

In the United States, the prevailing winds come from the northwest direction. By facing the hive entrance in the southeast, you protect the bees from the winter wind chill. The bees will also not fight against the prevailing winds as they are exiting the hive.  You should decide upfront on the best location for your beehive before you order the packages. You should avoid pedestrian traffic routes, neighbour’s yard, and footpaths. This will prevent the bees from seeing people or pets that walk in front of their hives as threats.  Besides, the bees require a clear flight path. 

Will a bee colony be affected if the hive is not oriented in the right direction?

Bees do not have a preference for the direction the hive should face. They actually don’t care about the direction the hive face. Again, there is no strict rule about facing your hive. However,  it must meet the general requirements for the lovelies. Even if you face your hive to the west, the bees will not suffer. However, it may slightly lower the production rate of the colony. The bees have their needs which, if not met, may abscond the hive to find a more suitable accommodation. For instance, if a hive is placed in direct sun the whole day, direct to the prevailing winds,  it will be hard for them to control the internal temperature. 

Do you need a location with flowers for your beehive?

Novice beekeepers think that you need a garden with some blooms. The truth is, you don’t require a garden with flowers to keep a bee colony. They usually fly up to 5 miles in search of food resources. However, they would love to have the resources close to them for more productivity. They will make more foraging trips, collect more resources, and make more honey.  This should be a concern if you have a large number of hives.

Do bees require a water source near the hive?

Bees use water for drinking, cooling the hive, and diluting honey. Surprisingly, on a hot summer day, they can use up to 1 gallon of water per colony. In the wild, they choose their nests where they can access a watering hole, a stream, a pond, a lakeside or any other water source. It is good to keep a water source near the hive to get water in close proximity and not to end up in a neighbour’s swimming pool. They have a special liking for salty and chlorinated water. If using a basin, you should place marbles or rocks since they are poor swimmers. 

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Food Source

When determining the direction to face beehives, it’s essential to consider the location of the primary food source for bees. Bees rely on forage from flowers to gather nectar and pollen, which they use to make honey and feed their colony. Therefore, positioning hives in a direction that maximizes access to abundant and diverse floral resources is crucial for hive productivity. Observing the natural flight paths of bees in your area can provide valuable insights into the direction of nearby forage. Additionally, factors such as sunlight exposure, wind protection, and local weather patterns should also be considered when choosing the orientation of beehives to ensure the health and success of the colony.

Wind Barrier

In addition to considering the direction of sunlight and forage, beekeepers should also take into account the impact of wind on their beehives. Strong winds can disrupt bee activity, cause hive instability, and lead to temperature fluctuations inside the hive. To mitigate these effects, it’s advisable to position beehives with a wind barrier, such as a natural landscape feature like trees or shrubs, or a man-made windbreak like a fence or hedge. The wind barrier should be placed on the side of the hive that is most exposed to prevailing winds, typically facing north or west. This helps create a more sheltered and stable environment for the bees, improving their overall health and productivity.

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