Stand for hive on uneven surface

[bettinacharlotta]

I'm planning on putting our hives on top of rocks that are in our fields. We have veins of rock throughout our property, and in some spots the rock sticks out of the ground. I spent a lot of time this fall cleaning off one rock that I was going to put the first hive on (most of the rocks have grass growing over a large part of them). After planning on getting a second hive, I scraped some dirt and grass off of another rock. Both the rocks are pretty flat, the second one being the flatter than the other. I was trying to figure out what to put the hives on. My dad thinks putting some concrete down and laying some blocks on top to make a level surface will work. Has anyone else done something similar before? I want to use the rocks because I don't have to worry about grass growing right next to the hive.

[Jeffzhear]

I'm planning on putting our hives on top of rocks that are in our fields. We have veins of rock throughout our property, and in some spots the rock sticks out of the ground. I spent a lot of time this fall cleaning off one rock that I was going to put the first hive on (most of the rocks have grass growing over a large part of them). After planning on getting a second hive, I scraped some dirt and grass off of another rock. Both the rocks are pretty flat, the second one being the flatter than the other. I was trying to figure out what to put the hives on. My dad thinks putting some concrete down and laying some blocks on top to make a level surface will work. Has anyone else done something similar before? I want to use the rocks because I don't have to worry about grass growing right next to the hive.

My suggestion is that you don't put concrete down right away until you determine that the spot is the exact spot you want. Issues such as full sunlight vs partial shade may influence your decision to move the hives. Give it a season or two before you start putting concrete down; it's very difficult to move concrete.

[shawnwri]

I want to use the rocks because I don't have to worry about grass growing right next to the hive.

Grass is easy to control either with herbicides, mulch, black plastic, or landscape fabric.

[bettinacharlotta]

But that's the problem then. We'd have to use something to control the grass. We don't use herbicides and I don't know how well mulch would work. We use our fields for hay, so killing the grass doesn't make much sense.
Both the rocks I chose seem to be in a good spot. One is at one end of the field, closer to our house (a couple hundred feet north) and near the tree line. It has protection from the prevailing winds. In late afternoon to evening the first rock gets shaded by the trees, but it gets good morning sun. The second rock is closer to our pond on the other side of the field. It's a few hundred feet east (in front) of our house. The early morning sun wouldn't hit it as much, but it would get the evening light. It wouldn't have as much of a windbreak since it's at the end of the field where the winds blow toward, but in the winter that can be fixed with some kind of protection. Both rocks are in perfect spots for the hives to face south. The rocks would keep the hives above the grass and on a drier spot. If we did pour concrete, it wouldn't be more than a few square feet and not very thick, just enough to make a level surface. We could use concrete blocks to raise the hive up. And the concrete shouldn't stick to the rock, so it'd be easy to break up and remove. We wouldn't put it down until spring anyway.
My other idea was to make a wooden stand. The problem would be making it level on the rock. It'd probably be less stable than concrete, but easier to move if need be.

[randydrivesabus]

you could set the hives on the rocks and then shim them level with wooden shims that you can buy at lowes.

[kbee]

I would suggest using a wood base(maybe 2 pieces of 2x12) on top of the rock and shiming the low spots to get a slight forward lean to keep water from running into the hive.

[Oldbee]

"you could set the hives on the rocks and then shim them level with wooden shims that you can buy at lowes.".........randydivesabus,.....duh...........or Menards, Home Depot.

[Fred Bee]

I use concrete blocks and 4 x 4 treated posts available at the home supply stores. And...regarding grass or weeds...if you have any old roofing shingles laying around...you can put two or three shingles under the stands to keep down weeds. They last a long time and really work.

[beehoppers]

Pretty cool using rocks like that. You will also learn from the different locations.
Hope you are using screened bottom boards (sbb). You will need to be able to slide a thin board that comes with it in and out to check mite counts and adjust for ventilation. Also if you have skunks its usually a good idea to have the hive about a foot off the ground so the bees can sting the skunk easier.

[bettinacharlotta]

Yeah I was thinking of shims too, but wasn't sure if they'd be as stable as something else. If I did use them, I wouldn't be able to buy them. What would my dad say? Buying little pieces of wood you can make yourself? :rolleyes: We'll probably figure something our eventually.
I don't have screened bottom boards. Something about an open screen just didn't seem right so I got the solid cypress. I've heard screened boards are better for the bees, but I'll never be able to say so myself if I don't try the solid boards. If something doesn't seem to be working, I can always buy (or make) some screened bottoms later on, right?