first post

[SuperBee]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and from what I have read so far on these boards they look very helpful.

I have a question about hive orientation and placement. The field where I will place the hive has full Southern sun and Eastern sun in the morning. Should I place the hive to the North of a tree to prevent too much Southern exposure, but get good morning sun from the East?

Also, there is an interstate about a quarter mile away. If the hive entrance is pointed in this direction are the bees more likely to pass through the interstate or will they be smart enough to pass over traffic?

Thanks

[dcross]

<<This is my first post and from what I have read so far on these boards they look very helpful.>>

Welcome! The only thing better is a local, successful beekeeper willing to teach!

<<Should I place the hive to the North of a tree to prevent too much Southern exposure, but get good morning sun from the East? >>

Full sun is the best, unless you're going to get an EXTREME summer heat wave.

<<Also, there is an interstate about a quarter mile away.>>

They should be well above traffic by the time they get that far from the hive.

[Michael Bush]

Also, the direction you face the hive will have no effect on which direction the bees forage.

[Jim Fischer]

> the direction you face the hive will have no
> effect on which direction the bees forage.

But it will have an effect on how SOON the
bees start foraging in the morning. If you
tweak the direction that your hives face so
that the rising sun will hit the entrance,
the bees will be out and about all the earlier
in the morning, which means more sorties per
day, which means more nectar gathered.

Unless you want to find that compass you last
used in Boy Scouts and do some math, this means
being in the beeyard at dawn. Not a bad place
to be.

[SuperBee]

Thanks for the info.