[mejess]

I am about to place my first hive out into my back yard. I live on 1 1/3 acres in a semi-rural area 36 miles North of Fort Worth Texas. I have a pond that continually recirculates fresh water. It is 12' X 5' so there is plenty of fresh water. Our lot is heavily wooded on most of it but I have cleared some trees enough for a garden and some fruit trees (peach, apricot and plum). From what I've read the hives need to be placed close to the water and facing East.
Given that there is nowhere on my property I could place the hive where they would be more than 120' from the water, how close is "close". The reason I am asking is that getting the bees within 20' of the pond will put them within 20' of my smoker/cooker.
My real question is: How close to the fresh water is close enough?
Sorry it took so long to get the real question out.
Jess

 

[alpha6]

Well as long as the pond is the closest water source they will go to it. 120 ft isn't that far. However, if your neighbors pool is closer they will hit that first. I have a spring on my property about 1/4 mile away and they will actually hit that before some closer sources. I imagine the water has some minerals in it they need or they like drinking water at 52 degrees as it comes out of the ground.

 

[NewbeeNnc]

It sounds like you'll be Ok with your distance. They don't have to be real close to find/gather the water. Being in Texas I would think that your water source would be real desirable to them. Sounds like you have a good setup. Can we come over when you get that smoker going?

Also you are correct in facing your hive east. Where I live we put them facing south east, because of colder north wind. Not sure if that would be a problem for you.

 

[mejess]

I forgot about the pool issue. That means that I need to keep them on the North half of my property. There are plenty of places to put a couple of hives just East of the pond. I guess it doesn't have to actually face the pond, does it?

 

[mejess]

Hey Newb,
You most certainly can come over. I am able to cook 15 briskets at a time! Bring some friends. I can also hang a small hog in the smoking cabinet.
The cabinet is 2' tall and deep by 4' tall. I love my smoker. I just don't want it to interfere with my girls.

 

[alpha6]

No, they are smart critters...they will find it. At first you may want to put a little lemongrass oil in the water...they love that stuff.

 

[mejess]

Ok Alpha6,
Thanks...by the way...your quote is my favorite so far. God Bless John Wayne!!

 

[Michael Bush]

I always figure you want some water within 1/4" mile. Otherwise they work pretty hard in the summer...

 

[NewbeeNnc]

Hey Newb,
You most certainly can come over. I am able to cook 15 briskets at a time! Bring some friends. I can also hang a small hog in the smoking cabinet.
The cabinet is 2' tall and deep by 4' tall. I love my smoker. I just don't want it to interfere with my girls.

Cool, thanks. I watch the new show on Discovery or TLC whichever that has the BBQ pitmasters. Every time I have a hungering pain for BBQ at 11:00 at night.