How Do You Arrange Your Hives

[ainsof]

Hi Folks,

Given unintentional downwind drift when hives are arranged in rows; how do those of you with lot's o' hives prefer to arrange them?

[Alienor]

I always try to arrange them in a "U"-form or at least as a "V" with the front sides pointing at the middle.
Here in my backyard I have 3 of the "U"s and the open end comes out on a path.
In the mid of every "U" is something special, a blue bucket, a small tree, a big stone, for easy recognizing.
It's not recommanded to walk on this path because it's the bee highway.
They are coming in with an enourmous speed, slow down at their special "U" , curve in and dive down exactly to their hive.

When I had them in rows always the first and the last hive became much stronger in the season because of the drift.

[carbide]

I normally place my splits and nucs on the end of my rows so that they intentionally receive any drifters. My strongest hives are in the middle of the rows. In my outyards, where I have fewer hives, I place my splits or nucs on the downwind side of the other hives.

[Hobie]

Alienor... I'd like to see your set-up. Sounds practical and attractive, except for negotiating the Bee-Autobahn, perhaps....

[DANIEL QUINCE]

How close to each other do you set your hives? Mine are 12-15 ft (4-5m) apart and I didn't notice any significant drifting. I had some in an "U" formation and I changed that to allow all of them to get the morning sun during cold times.

[Michael Bush]

I just do them so they are convenient for me. smile.gif

I have double rows of treated four by fours for stands and set them in rows.