Hi guys,
Setting up hive location, hive will see morning sun, but, the entrance will be facing south to south west.
I know ideally the entrance should be north in the southern lands. Was wondering what complications will it cause the bees.
Also, how close to a slotted fence should the hive be located before an aperture in the fence is required.
My NUC arrives in a month or so, just sorting the location before hand,
regards
Ralphie
Hi Ralph, southwest is not the ideal position to face a hive entrance here in the Southern Hemisphere, especially if it gets really cold during the winter, on account of cold southerly winds blowing directly into the entrance. Unless you had something set up so as to avoid cold winds from blowing into the entrance.
In my view you could place an entrance right up to a slotted fence. The only thing would be what’s on the other side of the fence? because bees will be coming & going through the slots in the fence, I would imagine.
Hi JeffH,
Thanks for the reply.
Oddly enough, the cold winds come from the west, we are generally protected from southerly’s where Iam.
The garden is on the other side of the fence. My property has a small rear yard, but a large front yard, and that’s where all the manuka shrubs are.
Well done on the Manuka shrubs. I planted a Leptospermum garden earlier this year. I’m pleased to see some are in bud with flowers. I spotted some bees on one this morning, a “Cardwell - Australian Beauty”.
The one that has grown quite big is a “Starry Night” from Bunnings, (they’re all from Bunnings) however there is no sign of any buds yet. I’m looking forward to seeing that one come into bud & flowers.
Some “Pink Cascades” are flowering with lots of buds coming on, but I haven’t seen any bees on them yet.
Ralphie, without the southerlies as Jeff mentioned and as long as they get good sun exposure they’ll be fine. I have a few hives I’ve had to orient SE and they’re just as healthy as the others. I’ve seen comments elsewhere that they’ll get a later morning start without sun shining in the entrance, but my lot are out just as early as the rest.
Mike
Thanks Mike,
That’s what I was hoping for, the hive will get plenty of sun.
In fact, during summer, I will have to put a sun shade up, as that is the “hot” side of the property.
there is a beekeeper near me (eastern suburbs of sydney) who has a hive sandwiched between a 7ft fence on 2 sides and a shed. it gets absolutely no sun at all…EVER, and is going well. the hive points at the fence, it’s about 3ft from it at the front.
having said that, sydney isnt the coldest place on eather even in winter.
cheer
ron