Location is an important consideration before installing a beehive on your property. Where you place a beehive is vital to the well-being and productivity of your bees. To find the perfect location for your beehive, account for these five key factors.
Right Amount of Sunshine
Bees have the amazing ability to regulate temperature in their hives, but they still need to be in an area with ideal heat conditions. The region you live in will determine the balance of how much sun and shade you need to provide your hive. Beekeepers in warmer climates should provide shade to prevent the hive from overheating, and those in colder areas should place their hive in a spot with direct sunlight.
Another tip from beehive experts is to face the entrance of the hive toward the southeast. This direction gives your bees the best access to the sunrise and warms the hive, which signals them to start pollinating and collecting nectar.
Protection From the Wind
Like temperature, wind is an environmental factor to consider when finding the perfect location for your beehive. You’ll want to choose a space with minimal wind around the hive's entrance.
Beekeepers who live in windy areas can prevent the wind from blowing over their hives by building a windbreak. These can be natural or hand-made barriers like bushes, trees, or fences that block strong gusts of wind from reaching beehives.
Access to Water
Bees need access to water to stay hydrated and productive. They are keen to find the closest natural water source to their hive, like a pond or creek. But what if you don’t live near one of these?
Beekeepers often place shallow containers of water near their hives to keep bees hydrated. Bees should be able to land on their watering station without being submerged.
Place It on Stable Land
Amid the other environmental factors to consider, don’t overlook the importance of placing your beehive on stable ground. Ideally, your beehive should be located on dry, level land. A beehive in areas prone to getting muddy and unstable can sink into the ground.
Lifting the hive off the ground using a stand can help prevent moisture or rainwater from seeping inside. And tall stands can also protect the hive from predators like raccoons and skunks.
Avoid High-Traffic Areas
You should place your beehive away from high-traffic areas with consideration for those around you. There should be at least 20 feet of space between a beehive and your or your neighbor's properties.
Beehives’ entrances should not face areas with high foot traffic, such as pools or sidewalks. Bees exit their hives in a straight path, so make sure you or your neighbors won’t be in the way.
Following these tips will help your bees stay as safe and productive as possible. If you have found the perfect place for a beehive and want to start your beekeeping journey, consider buying bee hives for sale in Billerica at The B Farm. We have provided quality hives and the best beekeeping supplies to beekeepers across the country for over 60 years.