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Author Topic: What to look for in a hive site  (Read 2422 times)

Offline Agility Mom

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What to look for in a hive site
« on: March 20, 2008, 10:08:17 pm »
After having my five hives destroyed by bears last year, I am ready to start all over this year. I plan to put up a baited electric fence to try to keep the bears away or at least from getting to the hives. I want to put the hives in a new location as my old spot was hard to maneuver in.  How important do you think afternoon shade is? I want to face them to get morning sun but that may make it difficult on this property to get shade as they will be pretty much out in the open.
Judy

Offline reinbeau

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2008, 10:57:26 pm »
I think out in the open will be just fine for you up in Vermont.  Down south afternoon shade may be an advantage, up here in the frozen north I think they need all the sun they can get!  And so do we!  :lol:

Offline pdmattox

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2008, 10:58:24 pm »
I place mine in full sun. It helps with the small hive beetles.

Offline Kathyp

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2008, 11:04:36 pm »
mine are in full sun.  i just crack the tops open in the summer.
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Offline Jerrymac

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2008, 12:13:37 am »
Full Texas sun morning, noon, and night....... opps sorry no night sun.
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Offline bassman1977

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2008, 12:29:38 am »
Other things to consider:

1.  Don't put the hives in an area that gets swampy or has the potential of getting swampy,

2.  Flat ground helps keep the hives level.

3.  I agree that the more sun, the better.
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Offline annette

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2008, 02:54:12 am »
Full Sun here and it works out fine

Offline qa33010

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2008, 03:05:00 am »
One hive gets full sun until the last couple hours of the day.  Others get full sun until mid afternoon.  When we finally get some decent land of our own they will be full sun all day.  I'll be miserable but this will help the hives.
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Offline Agility Mom

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Re: What to look for in a hive site
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2008, 10:13:53 am »
Thank you all for your responses-it seems sun is the way to go. Very helpful for me. Michael, I found your information very interesting and got caught up in reading about a lot of other things. I intend to go back and read it all. Thanks.
Judy