Am a new beekeeper to bee.
I am in New Mexico , setting up hives for season, about 5500 ft elevation, quite arid, 9-12" of rain per year, though large water source and fields are within a mile.
Am locating my hives with protection from over head sun under an exsisting coragated metal lean-too about 6'X12'. The sun will hit the sides of hives on south and west ends.The temps here are usually in 80's throughout summer...but has warmed quite quickly this season and could be very close to 90 or above, earlier than usual. (was 84 today in March, should be in 60's, we usually hit 80's in May/June)
The question is....should I protect the hives from south and west sun that will come through sides of lean-too? I have a 30% sun block fabric I can put along the south and west side of lean-too?
Will this slow production? Flight Patterns?
Muchos Gracias, carol ann