Sunlight/hive placement

[Ben Brewcat]

Newbie question. I'm getting a package this spring for backyard beekeeping. Where I live is pretty dry (semi-arid), and the mid-day direct sun is pretty hot but night-time gets sweater-cool; we're in the foothills just over 5000 feet.

I've heard that sunlight is important, but in a drier climate is dappled shade OK? My thought is that the shadier spot is a lot less viewable from the street. How important is direct sunlight? Is it more for curing or for getting them up and active at the crack of dawn? I still can paint the hive whatever color I need to; our winters very rarely stay below 40 for more than a couple days so shouldn't be too stressful for them I'm guessing.

[clintonbemrose]

Your best bet is strong sunlighe in the morning and evening but dappled sunlight during the heat of the day in my opinion
Clint

[scsasdsa]

Hi Ben
Placement realy depends on what your summer high temps are. Here in Vermont we usualy don't get a lot of realy hot weather and generaly face our hives south/south east and in full sun.

[Michael Bush]

I have hives in the full sun, partial sun and shade. They all do all right. The ones in the sun seem to produce a bit more though.

I wouldn't worry too much about a little shade. As Clint says, ideal, is probably a bit of shade in the heat of the day and full sun in the morning and evening.

Bees normally live in hollow, living trees in full shade and flourish quite well.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>Bees normally live in hollow, living trees in full shade and flourish quite well.

I think that says it all, at the very least, shade in the heat of the day.

[Ben Brewcat]

Ah, thanks folks. I feel reassured! Not that the neighbors are bad people, but snuggled up next to a big patch of spirea (facing north and my house) will help me feel better about the community-relations factor.

[ScadsOBees]

If your choice is unhappy neighbors or a little less honey, it is probably worth the honey sacrifice.

I put mine where they fit the yard best, and if that is not absolutely perfect for the bees, well, they will still do just fine, maybe just not produce quite as much.

-rick