Hi
Newbie setting up new hive site.
What is the impact of a street light approximately 20 to 30 metres away filtered light through trees.
We have found a suitable site in the back yard however we are worried about the street light.
Thanks
Bayview Newbie
Welcome @Mat_Butterworth . Is the entry facing toward or away from the light. The girls will, of course, adapt to most situations and if your options are limited then you will, in reality, have to go with what you have.
It also helps if you put your State and Country on your profile as Bayview is a popular place name around the world.
If the light is not shining into the entrance it will have no effect on the bees, but if it does you could put up a small barrier to prevent the light shining into the hive. But I would see if the bees are happy about the way it is, bees will often adapt to conditions Another option is to set the hive up where you want it and rotate it till the light doesn’t shine on the front of the hive.
Welcome to the forum, heaps of reading and nice folks happy to pass on good advice and tips.
Cheers
Thanks so Peter
This is very helpful
Mat
Bayview NSW
Thanks
This is very helpful
Bees will be attracted to lights at night, even if they are not shining into the hive itself. The good news is: the lights will only lure a dozen or more. Those bees, probably scouts wont return. Because they don’t return, no other bees venture out towards it. You lose about a dozen or more every night.
A lot is said that a hive in the Southern Hemisphere should face North but from my own experience now in my hives location there was not that option. They face to the East, the only difference is that as soon as they were located where they are they start flying earlier in the day. The bees still return to the hive about sunset so maybe they have a longer foraging time each day.
There is plenty on the forum that are up on the Sydney Northern beaches like @Rodderick so keep an eye out for anything from him as it will apply to your climate and he knows bee keeping.
Cheers