When I started reading about hive placement, it was said that i needed to face southeast so sun hits early ,but I've noticed the other hives i've seen. here in n.c. seems to be partial. shade,was thinking when i expand, if i might think about more shade in the long hot summers here???
What shade they get in early morning and late afternoon will be plenty. Remember, the sun has an affect on hive beetles, helps keep them in check. d2
Before the arrival of SHB, afternoon shade was recommended. Now, full sun all day is the way to keep the beetles out. The bees can cool the hive.
Was meaning late, say 5 pm or later. They will cool, that is what bearding is about. you can also put a crack under the top cover, small enough that bees can't enter or exit. d2
Or put a screen over the inner cover and prop the outer cover up more; or make one of those ventilated shims that sit under the outer cover.
ditto on the full sun - I've seen this work with my own eyes.
As with all advice you find here and on other forums you can take it with a grain of salt....people are still recommending afternoon shade down in my area....granted the Florida Keys is a tad different that the rest of the world but all the local bee keepers and suppliers are suggesting some afternoon shade since our humidity is so high in conjunction with the sun in July, August and September.
As Iddee said.. the bees CAN cool the hive, so long as they have access to water. They keep the brood at 96(ish) degrees? so a 90 degree day with the sun beating down on the hive means they will be bringing in water and evaporating it to reduce the temperature inside a little.. No more work for them than it is to HEAT the hive/brood on days that it is 70 degrees.
I "try" to face all of my hives south, east or preferably SE.. but I have hives facing North, and a few facing west, due to the necessity of their location, and despite the arguments and poo pooing they have always done as well as any other hive. Why? I have no idea, and don't care, as long as they continue to flourish. Maybe in different climates the results will be very different.