shade or full sun

[Linwood]

Hi, my question is that my hives are in partial shade, they get morning sun untill
about 11:00 I have not got honey from them
in two years since I got them, thought it
was the drought or the queens. then thought
it might be the big pine limbs that overhang
the hives, was going to cut them to let more
sun in.any ideas what my problem could be.
they are carniolans.

[paddlebee]

have you tried replacing your queens?, what about feeding them?

[mark williams]

Yes I don't think the shade or lack of it is your problem,although I have found my bee's does better in the sun,but even in the shade you should get a honey crop.It could be a number of thing's Queen, most of the time it's spring build-up or lack of it.do you prepare before the honey flow at least 41 day's or there about? the number of super's drawn comb- foundation? the list can go on& on.

[Linwood]

The first year they got everything filled
out and was able to get honey enough for
the winter,the second year I thought they
were doing fine except they only chewed on
the supers, and they still only got honey
for them. so I thought about reqeening,in
fact am going to call tomorrow to oder 2 russians.but still think I might be doing
something wrong. they do seem to be building
up good though.

[BjornBee]

With the temps in Maine, I would not hesitate to put the hives in full sun and forget the shade they speak about in most books, etc. You already have a shorter season in Maine, so prolong the available days the bees have by getting them in the field as early as possible.
If it gets above say 80-85, then prop the lid cover or provide upper entrances which help with ventalation. I always have upper entrances and believe they make a huge difference.

The other thing to consider, given everything else hive wise is correct. It is very important you go into spring with a very strong hive population. You may be missing the main flow which sometimes is very early in the season and some hives have not built up large numbers. Then they spend more time keeping brood warm and miss honey production. Next year stimulate early brood production. Good luck.

[Linwood]

sorry . to answer your question I do medicate
and feed fumidil in the spring. have had no mites and no other problems that I know of.
Linwood

[BjornBee]

With the temps in Maine, I would not hesitate to put the hives in full sun and forget the shade they speak about in most books, etc. You already have a shorter season in Maine, so prolong the available days the bees have by getting them in the field as early as possible.
If it gets above say 80-85, then prop the lid cover or provide upper entrances which help with ventalation. I always have upper entrances and believe they make a huge difference.

The other thing to consider, given everything else hive wise is correct. It is very important you go into spring with a very strong hive population. You may be missing the main flow which sometimes is very early in the season and some hives have not built up large numbers. Then they spend more time keeping brood warm and miss honey production. Next year stimulate early brood production. Good luck.

[Linwood]

Thanks for the replies I will put them into
full sun, I think I will still requeen, had
a hive in another location same deal with
some shade and got honey from them.thats why
I thought I was doing somthing wrong.
Linwood

[dburgess]

Your hives may be swarming and leaving you with small populations to gather honey.
Are you doing anything to prevent swarming in the spring? Are you using doubles for brood or a single, Give us a little more info. I'm with BjornBee, I would put them in full sun to utilize as much of the day as possible. Just some thoughts. Duane in VA.

[Michael Bush]

I would also vote for full sun. Requeening every year is a good idea anyway. A queen can change everything.

[Linwood]

I have not seen any swarming, but that doesn't mean they haven't they seem to have
plenty of bees, and I have not seen any
swarm cells. We have been in a drought for a couple of years. I am going to cut a few big pine limbs, that I think will help.If it isn't enough I'll move them out a bit.
And I'm going to requeen two hives, I think
the combination will help.thanks again for
the replies, Linwwod

[SilverFox]

Ny Hives are in full sun, the old boy that brought out the first hive to our place said that is the way to go as they warm up faster and get more active earler in the day, and gather later in to the evening