Finding the best place to put your beehive
For beginner beekeepers, beehive positioning may not seem that important. Many newbies simply pop their brand new hive in a flat spot, without considering how temperature, wind exposure, damp, and even direction might affect their bees.
But choosing the right position can make a big difference to the health and happiness of your colony – not to mention your neighbours. If you’re an urban beekeeper with other houses close by, this is an important consideration.
Although you can reposition a hive after you’ve installed your colony, it’s much easier if you get it right beforehand. Moving a hive loaded with bees, wax, and honey is no easy feat.
Here’s how to choose the best spot before you start.
Sun or shade?
The ideal temperature inside a hive is around 35°C, and maintaining that level is a tricky business. Too hot, and worker bees spend a lot of energy fanning air with their wings. Too cold, and they spend it clustering around the queen and brood cells to keep them warm.
Positioning your hives in the right spot can help. In cooler areas (with average highs of below 22°C), you can place hives in full sun to help keep them warm. In hotter areas (with temperatures hitting 25°C+) partial shade is usually a better option. Look for an area that’s either dappled with sunlight, or exposed for only part of the day.
When the sun hits is also an important consideration. Look for a spot that gets sunshine first thing in the morning, and position the hive entrance so it’s facing the sunrise. This early morning sun exposure helps wake the hive up and get the workers going after a cool night.
Wet and windy
Like people, bees don’t like being exposed to wind or moisture.
Wind can blow rain into the hive, dislodge hive covers, and very strong winds have been known to knock hives over. Although you can’t always predict bad weather, you can try to avoid wind exposure by placing your hives out of the wind as much as possible – behind a hedge or in the lee of a hill. If bad weather does hit, you can secure your hives with bricks or hive covers.
Moisture is another issue. If your hives are placed on damp or flood-prone ground, moisture can rise up through the hive, causing mould, making it harder for the bees to produce honey, and potentially making the colony more susceptible to disease. Keep hives away from low, damp ground, and consider placing them on a wooden stand to keep them off the soil.
Flat and firm
Placing your hives on flat, firm ground seems obvious, but many people get this wrong. This is particularly true if you set up your hives in summer, without considering the state of the soil in winter.
Look for a flat area away from trees and shrubs – you don’t want to be fighting through vegetation every time you want to look at your hive. Check the ground for dampness, sponginess, and a soft, sandy texture. Each of these elements could cause trouble in wet weather, making your hive more likely to sink into the soil or tip over.
Place your hive as close to level as possible. If there is a slight tilt, make sure the entrance is lower to the ground – that way, any water that makes it into the hive will drain out. Alternatively, using a ventilated bottom board means water will drip out whatever the tilt.
Drinking water
Bees don’t like the damp, but they do like water. They drink water for themselves, and bring it back to the hive if needed. If your garden doesn’t have a natural water source, you can add one – a shallow plastic tray filled with stones and water is all you need. Place this in front of the hive, facing the entrance, as bees tend to look for water when they first leave for the day.
Adding a water feature is particularly important if you’re beekeeping in the city. One of the most common complaints about urban hives is bees in swimming pools and ponds. If you provide water for your bees right outside the hive, they’re less likely to head further afield and bother your neighbours.
Accessible and convenient
Easy access to your hives is essential. Most new beekeepers want to keep hives away from the house, which makes sense, but you can take it too far. When the time comes to harvest honey, this can mean carrying heavy, laden honey frames over a long distance. If your hives are too far from your dwelling, you’re also less likely to check them in bad weather.
Think about the size of your property, and how you use it, before you position your hives. If you have a small urban garden, you won’t have much of a choice. If you’re on a farm or lifestyle block, think about putting your hives within 200-300 metres of the house, so you have easy access without being bothered by bees.
Considerate neighbours
Beehive positioning can affect your neighbours, particularly in the city, so it’s considerate to think of them when you’re setting up.
Avoid facing your hives toward your neighbours’ properties. Bees tend to fly in a straight line when they leave the hive, which could mean your neighbours are frequently confronted by bees if the hive entrance faces their back garden, for example. Try to keep hives at least 6-8 metres away from boundary lines, to give the bees a chance to gain height before they reach your neighbour’s property.
If you’re just starting out as a beekeeper and you’re not sure how your neighbours will react, have a chat with them before you install your hives. People are less likely to be upset if they’ve been warned. And pass on a jar or two of honey when you finally harvest – it’s a sure-fire way to make them feel more positive about your bees.