I'm in south Mississippi and the temps here are already hitting 90. I have my hives where the sun is on them in the morning and shaded in the afternoon. I've been reading a lot of folks saying they should be in direct sun all day. Seems like it would be like an oven in there. Can they really keep it cool enough? I have screened bb's.
Also, I am between 2 large ponds, both about a block away. Will that provide them with water or should I have some near the hives?
Thanks, Chuck
Chuck
I have my hives setting in the shade. As the morning sun comes up it shines right on the hive. The trees block the sun from shineing right down on them, An they still beard on the outside. even that they are in the shade. I guess everyone has a differnt way of do things. Just my 2 cent worth an what has worked for me.
James
Yes, two ways to do things.
Mississippi with millions of SHB, full sun.
West Virginia, with few or no SHB, afternoon shade. That's why we insist on locations in profiles. No two places are the same.
Agreed, location is so important. Here in New England we try to keep our hives in full sun. We hit 90+ only a dozon times or so. The winter is the most important time of year for us and full sun on our hives. They need midday sun to give some solar heat so they can break cluster and poop and feed.
So far the best I can get is 'most of the day sun' - I'm still deciding whether the chainsaw approach would be wise.
Thanks for the responses...out into the sun they go. I'm assuming the water isn't a problem.
Chuck
Quote from: iddee on May 13, 2010, 09:19:33 PM
Mississippi with millions of SHB, full sun.
West Virginia, with few or no SHB, afternoon shade.
Something does not make sense here. If more sun inhibits SHB, why are the beetles worse in the South? Sun does not penetrate the hive itself, so presumably putting hives in the sun has an effect by raising the temperature of the hive. Being in the South also raises the temperature of the hive. Yet the bettles are worse.
Yes, I know that the SHB has not had time to spread to all the places that will eventually have them. They started in SC and quickly spread to Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina as well as Minnesota and other northern states. But the severity of infestation seems worse in the warmest places.
I think it also has to do with moisture/humidity. It seems that the SHB likes almost tropical conditions. But Iddee is correct, direct sunlight will help you control the beetle.
I compensate for the sun's increased temps by raising the inner cover (or top cover if you don't use inner covers) about 3/8 of an inch to allow the warmer air to flow out of the hive. Cooler air coming in through your screened BB or entrance and flowing out through this upper vent also allows the moisture from curing nectar to escape.
After I started using the upper vent, I noticed a lot less bearding. But NC is not as hot or humid as Mississippi!
Quote from: cbuchh48 on May 14, 2010, 08:23:36 AM
Thanks for the responses...out into the sun they go. I'm assuming the water isn't a problem.
Chuck
Very safe assumption