Newbee highway question

Started by Bobb, January 28, 2009, 12:23:31 PM

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Bobb

January 28, 2009, 12:23:31 PM
I'm worried. I have found a place for my 5 hives where they will be away from people. Close to a running water source. Protected by willows from southern winds that blow in the spring and can have sun most of the day. My problem is; the girls will only be about 80 to 100 feet away from a busy, elevated 2 lane highway where traffic moves at 60 mph. I don't want them to end up being a bug on a bumper. Does anyone have any ideas how to protect them other than moving the hives? Or, do you think they will be ok, even though the traffic is so close. At this time I have nowhere else to put them. I'd appreciate any ideas.
Thanks,
Bobb
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

iddee

#1
January 28, 2009, 12:51:50 PM
Other than theft of the hives, I don't believe you will have any problems.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

Scadsobees

#2
January 28, 2009, 01:50:42 PM
Well, considering that the cars are going 60, the slow bees will get killed off, and only the fast ones will survive.  I wouldn't do anything to make your bees mad.  :evil:

Seriously, though, they go up before going out, and have a good idea where the problems are so most should be able to avoid the cars.

Rick

Rick

Bobb

#3
January 28, 2009, 01:54:57 PM
I don't think theft will be a problem. We are on a main highway north of Durango. Folks are usually going so fast they don't have time to look. (lol)
I was afraid for the girls.
Thanks for your assurance.
Bobb
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

Bobb

#4
January 28, 2009, 01:58:06 PM
If we only have fast bees left. Will they make honey quicker? (lol)
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

Brian D. Bray

#5
January 28, 2009, 06:33:45 PM
Quote from: Bobb on January 28, 2009, 12:23:31 PM
I'm worried. I have found a place for my 5 hives where they will be away from people. Close to a running water source. Protected by willows from southern winds that blow in the spring and can have sun most of the day.

Sounds like an ideal site.

QuoteMy problem is; the girls will only be about 80 to 100 feet away from a busy, elevated 2 lane highway where traffic moves at 60 mph. I don't want them to end up being a bug on a bumper. Does anyone have any ideas how to protect them other than moving the hives? Or, do you think they will be ok, even though the traffic is so close. At this time I have nowhere else to put them. I'd appreciate any ideas.
Thanks,
Bobb

The traffic is going to create wind shear drafts that the bees will seek to avoid.  Also be in mind that you can place a hive with the entrance up against a house or fence and the bees will fly straight up/down or in a tight spiral getting in and out of the hive.  80-100 feet is too far for it to be a problem.  And as far as roadways are concerned most bees will either fly fairly high over it, or in the case of some bridges, tressles, and raised roadways, under them.
Life is a school.  What have you learned?   :brian:      The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

poka-bee

#6
January 28, 2009, 07:04:47 PM
You shouldn't have a problem, & if you paint the hives in greens instead of white they will blend right in! Only a very observant someone would notice going that fast.  The willows should have lots of pollen for them? J
I'm covered in Beeesssss!  Eddie Izzard

justgojumpit

#7
January 28, 2009, 07:37:29 PM
You could also pile a bunch of vegetation in front of the hives, such as branches and dead trees.  This will block their visibility from the road and encourage the bees to fly up.  Or, if you wanted to make things pretty, you could always plant a tall hedge;)

justgojumpit
Keeper of bees and builder of custom beekeeping equipment.

Bobb

#8
January 28, 2009, 08:33:12 PM
Thanks everybody. I'm feeling much better about this spot now. Green to blend in is a great idea. This roadway is not like a bridge its berm raised about 12 feet from the surrounding area.
Thanks again,
Bobb
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

Michael Bush

#9
January 28, 2009, 08:36:07 PM
Anything that blocks a direct path will cause them to go up first and that will help.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Bobb

#10
January 28, 2009, 08:42:00 PM
The willows grow along a small irrigation canal. They are about 25' tall and very thick. I can point them towards them.
Thanks.
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

IABeeMan

#11
January 28, 2009, 09:24:31 PM
 I tend to agree with most everyone else. They will be perfectly fine. I have 5 hives about 100ft from Interstate 29 and they have thrived for 3 years now.

Bobb

#12
January 28, 2009, 11:48:58 PM
IAbeeMan
Being so close to the highway, I wonder about the state spraying weed killer and the county fogging mosquito's at night. Have you had any problem with this?
My wife says I worry too much.
Bobb
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

Brian D. Bray

#13
January 29, 2009, 12:43:26 AM
Quote from: Bobb on January 28, 2009, 11:48:58 PM
IAbeeMan
Being so close to the highway, I wonder about the state spraying weed killer and the county fogging mosquito's at night. Have you had any problem with this?
My wife says I worry too much.
Bobb

Usually the state, county, or city highway departments will only spray the right of way to to the tree line alongside the road, whichever is shortest.  At 100 feet the bees are beyond that.  Since most states require spraying after sunset it should be settled out before the bees fly the next morning.  All that said there's always exceptions.  You might experience some loss to spraying but not anymore than a neighbor spraying his trees or flowers.
Life is a school.  What have you learned?   :brian:      The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

Bobb

#14
January 29, 2009, 02:00:28 AM
Thanks to all. I feel better and I really appreciate all your comments and advise.
Bobb
"Power, especially overgrown power, whets the ambition and sets all the wits to work to enlarge it. Therefore, encroachments on peoples liberties are not generally made all at once, but so gradually as hardly to be perceived by the less watchful; and all plastered over, it may be, with such plausible pretenses, that before they are aware of the snare, they are taken and can not disentangle themselves."

Samuel Webster
Massachusetts 1777

IABeeMan

#15
January 29, 2009, 09:19:07 PM
Quote from: Bobb on January 28, 2009, 11:48:58 PM
IAbeeMan
Being so close to the highway, I wonder about the state spraying weed killer and the county fogging mosquito's at night. Have you had any problem with this?
My wife says I worry too much.
Bobb

My bees sit right on the edge of a soybean field. Due to the close proximity of the crops they do not spray the ditches, rather they are mowed quiet regular.
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