Newby questions thread

[Budvar]

Thanks for reading, answering.

Two hives. How close can you place them. I've seen them about 2 feet apart on many pictures. Do the bees get confused?

Chris

[riverrat]

yes they can get confused the closer the hives are the more chance you will have of bees drifting

[peggjam]

You could park them so their're touching if you want.:)

[Ravenseye]

You'll have some drifting now and again with hives close together, but the bees do a great job sorting out their own living quarters from those of others.

[Troutsqueezer]

Drifting has the effect of equalizing hive populations.

[Robert Hawkins]

Mine go right up against each other. With an identification mark just above the landing strip. Any drifting seems incidental. It's not like they're going to all end up in one box.

Hawk

[Ross]

It's very convenient to be able to lay a lid down and stack supers between them. Or you can stack them on top of the hive next door, but that's where I set my smoker, queen clip, hive tool, etc. All that said, anywhere from touching to infinity will work.

[Budvar]

Thanks! Another dummie question:

Is green an ok color for a hive? I see pictures of all kinds, even purple, so it must be ok. It just seems like the literature says lighter colors generally, esp. in hot climates. I have a mixture of hot summers, cool winters. Green would also blend well with the nearby trees, grass.

Chris,
Pasco, Wa.

[Ruben]

Green should be fine, just make sure there is a notice/warning sign of bees if they are near where people can get for any possible liability issues.

[Ross]

I have a bunch of forest green hives here in Texas. I don't see any significant difference in the bees whether the hive is dark or light colored. In the heat, top ventilation is the key. I would like to see a study of temperature under a 3/4" piece of wood when the top is painted various colors. I believe the temps will be similar given ventilation. The top side will definitely vary in temp. Oh, and those were probably my purple boxes too. My first three were sky blue, purple, and yellow respectively, to look like the Willamstead harbor in Curacao.

[Ben Brewcat]

Mine are stained a dark green, bayberry or barberry or somesuch from Behr. Very easy to miss at a casual glance; I like it. The bees don't care; I use a SBB and am well-ventilated in summer and I think the dark helps w/ solar gain in winter.

[Michael Bush]

>How close can you place them.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#hivestand

[Budvar]

I sure have enjoyed reading and viewing your articles, Michael. Thanks again!

Chris
E. Wash. state.

[Budvar]

Ok, I'm a little slow, but trying, having never seen a hive in action.

So the goal (whether wax, plastic, or no foundation) is to get the bees to make a strong comb, where they use for brood, and stores to get through the year.

My goal is to get good strong comb building the first year, hopefully to reuse it again, and again, and again, right? Assuming the comb holds up, and it's taken care of, how many seasons should it last?

Thanks,

Chris,
E. WA. State

[peggjam]

It will last along time, much longer than you should let them use it. You should plan on replacing comb every four or five years, especially if you use chemical treatments.:)

[Michael Bush]

>Assuming the comb holds up, and it's taken care of, how many seasons should it last?

The issue most people focus on is how long you should keep it. Some beekeepers have comb that is 30 years old or more. I've had it 20 or more years old before. It will last until you cull it or the wax moths eat it. :) The wax moths will only eat it if the hive is failing or you have it stored where the bees can't protect it during the time of year when the wax moths are active in your climate.