Honeybee Hive Placement for Optimum Bee Foraging
The two photos above are a great example of the effect of hive placement on bee activity. The photos are of opposite sides of the same pallet of hives, taken at the same time this morning.
The photo on the left is of the hives that are facing east, getting the benefit of the morning sun. Some very nice bee activity there. The photo on the right is of hives on the same pallet, only facing west. These bees are obviously still cold and sleeping.
The photos were taken at 10:00 am with an ambient air temperature of 53 F. The hives that are facing east and getting the morning sun are providing about an extra 3 - 4 hours of activity per day.
Orienting hives so that they are exposed to the morning sun to stimulate earlier activity is just one of several tactics that can optimize bee activity and aid in pollination of our fruit crops. Other tactics include:
- Density - use at least 2 hives per acre, and even more in high density plantings.
- Orient hives so they are exposed to early morning sun. This alone can result in 50% more morning flight activity.
- Elevate hives up off the ground, onto an over-turned bin or pallet.
- Protect hives from wind, but don't place directly under trees or in a frost pocket.
- Place hives in groups of 4 - 12 hives at 100 yard intervals. The argument that putting all the hives together in one place so they will force competition is bunk. That's certainly easier for the beekeeper when he delivers the bees if he can just off-load them all into a single loading area, but that's not what's best for your pollination needs. Better to spread the hives out.
- Place hives within 1/4 mile of water or provide water.
The bees are there to perform a very critical job - set your crop. Why make it difficult for them? Following the guidelines above will make it easier for the bees to work for you.