Do hives have to be perfectly level?

[a wannabee]

My hives are on a board that is probably a 1/2" off level. I just read in a book that they should be level. Is this really necessary?

[Rich V]

I have always set my hives up so that they are a little off level and tipping forward. That way any moisture would run out the hive.

[UtahBees]

I have always set my hives up so that they are a little off level and tipping forward. That way any moisture would run out the hive.

That's the most recommended method, and what most beekeepers I've seen aim for. It's not necessary. You don't have to. But it's a nice way to let moisture run out, if it ever gets in there.

[JP]

My hives are on a board that is probably a 1/2" off level. I just read in a book that they should be level. Is this really necessary?

If you use sbbs it doesn't matter. If not I like them tilted forward some.


...JP

[woodchopper]

All of our hives have screened bottom boards on them and we still tilt them a little forward. We do it to reduce the contact points of the bottom board and timbers underneath where water seems to build up. Not sure if it amounts to anything but that was our thinking.

[Joseph Clemens]

Perfectly level is good in the direction 90 degrees from the direction the combs are running (if the combs are lined up North - South, then you should have the hive level from East to West). Tilting a little North or South, in this instance would be acceptable. I have combs with bases of wired beeswax foundation, combs with bases of plastic foundation, combs built by the bees without any foundation, and some man-made plastic combs. There is a variety of these types in almost every hive. For the sake of the foundationless combs, I carefully level my hives perpendicular to the direction the combs are aligned so that the bees aren't confused about where the comb should end (attached to the bottom bars).

[Michael Bush]

>My hives are on a board that is probably a 1/2" off level. I just read in a book that they should be level. Is this really necessary?

It is always best to have them perfectly level.  It's especially important if you're doing foundationless frames as the combs will be plumb even if the frames are not.

[Brian D. Bray]

I use bottomless hives these days and no longer worry about exactly level--something I was never able to achieve in practice anyway.  As long as the elevation variance is front to back or visa versa don't worry about it.  If it tilts to the side straighten it.

[desmondmegan]

i started a tbh and the little ones have started drawing comb on one side causing it to become unleveled.. should i level it out right away or will it not matter later on...

des

[Pond Creek Farm]

I will need to makes sure mine are level given Mr. Bush's post.  I never thought about it, but since mypackages are foundationless, I need to be sure they are level, or I will have comb that might be out of the frame simply by virtue of the bees making it plumb.  Good tip

[Michael Bush]

>i started a tbh and the little ones have started drawing comb on one side causing it to become unleveled.. should i level it out right away or will it not matter later on..

I would level it as it gets off.

[desmondmegan]

thanks i leveled it off.. the bees might finish drawing comb out on the full length of the bars.

[tillie]

Do you actually use a level to level the hives?  Mine are eye-ball level, but I haven't actually placed a level on the top???

Linda T in Atlanta

[desmondmegan]

i didn't have a level but made a water level out of some old clear plastic tubing and water.