Shading hives in the hot deep south....ideas?

[Intheswamp]

I'm thinking over a strategy for a permanent but removable shade for each hive.  I've also pondered the idea of putting up a permanent frame and stretching some shadecloth across it or tacking down cardboard or whatever on it.  In searching for ideas I actually stumbled upon a post I made exactly a year ago today about using some cardboard for shading so I figured start a thread on shading.  Here are some photos of what I did last year along with a link to that thread.  I'm basically posting them to give folks an idea of the difference something simple can make...and maybe to give them some ideas of their own (or share what they already have ;) ).   FWIW, Ed

Thread link... http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,38138.msg319996.html#msg319996

[GSF]

I'm considering doing something myself. I thought about putting a couple of bricks on top of the hive and laying tin on top of the bricks then something on the tin. I'm thinking although the tin gets hot the couple inches of air space will help it stay cooler.

[BeeMaster2]

Ed,
I keep bees in town in the shade except one hive that is down the street. It is in a old fenced in dog kennel with a cement deck. It is in full sun. I also had hives at the farm on a trailer in full sun. The only hive that had almost every frame fully capped was the hive in the dog kennel and it had 3 full medium supers of honey. 
The ones at the farm had full supers but most of it was not capped. All of the hives have SBB, STB, and 1/2" insulation in the lids.
The bees in the sun have very few SHBs. The ones in the shade have lots of SHBs and I kill lots of them in the oil trays and the STBs. When I brought them home and put them in the shade I had to add oil to the trays. There were so many moving in and the bees were pushing them into the dry trays.
Don't know if this helps but just passing on what I have experienced.
Jim

[Intheswamp]

I'm considering doing something myself. I thought about putting a couple of bricks on top of the hive and laying tin on top of the bricks then something on the tin. I'm thinking although the tin gets hot the couple inches of air space will help it stay cooler.

Gary, I've thought about using some tin, but the only thing is that it is heavy and with a heavy wind as we get with some of our thunderstorms I'm afraid it might cause problems.  I used cardboard a couple of years ago and it seemed to work well...by the end of the season it was ready to be pitched.  I'd like something a bit more permanent, but still lightweight.  I'd looked at some "Coolaroo" shade material.  It's supposedly pretty durable but would cost about $7 for the material per hive....a pint of honey.  Over a period of a few years the cost would be negligible.  Still I'll have to make a frame for it.  With cardboard the cost plummets.

Of course, a solid piece like tin or even some old paneling would be simple and easy to handle.  As long as some air can get beneath the tin I think it would make the hive cooler.

Jim, what I'm trying to do is stop the solar gain on the surface of the hives.  I have stood boards up against the sides to help, but an extended overhang of the roofs seem to give better shade coverage.  In front of and behind, north and south, of the hives is pretty much in the sun with little shadow being cast.  To the sides, east and west, of the hives the sun's location casts a shadow on the ground...which it will do regardless of an extended shade.  What I would call shade, is down the hill in the edge of the pine trees...easily 50+ feet.  Right now my weather station if showing a 104F heat factor.<groan>

Around your hive that is in the shade, is it a general shady area such as a stand of trees and bushes or is it just a small spot of shade?  Would you consider the shaded area to be more moist than the area in full sun where the dog kennel is located?  I believe that a moisture factor is a big part of a location attracting beetles.

Btw, does it sound like I'm trying to rationalize giving them some shade? ;)  What can I say, I'm still a newbie...  :-D

Ed

[sc-bee]

Why :? Is it for you or them......

[MsCarol]

Ummmm?

'Tis the season.....how about those political signs made of that plastic "cardboard".

From my experience it will last a couple seasons, water resistant, light weight......and free after the season.

[Intheswamp]

Ummmm?

'Tis the season.....how about those political signs made of that plastic "cardboard".

From my experience it will last a couple seasons, water resistant, light weight......and free after the season.

Political signs are nice, it will take some large ones, though....not the little yard sign types.

[BeeMaster2]

Around your hive that is in the shade, is it a general shady area such as a stand of trees and bushes or is it just a small spot of shade?  Would you consider the shaded area to be more moist than the area in full sun where the dog kennel is located?  I believe that a moisture factor is a big part of a location attracting beetles.

BTW, does it sound like I'm trying to rationalize giving them some shade?   What can I say, I'm still a newbie... 
Ed

Ed,
New bee? ???
And here I thought you were a queen bee.  :-D
The hives in my back yard have large oak trees over them. Last year I had them cut back, at considerable expense, and the SHBs were not a problem. The trees grew back over the hives and when I brought the bees back this year, the SHBs swarmed the hives and I had to put the oil back in the hives that first night. The bees were chasing them into the oil pans by the hundreds. The hives are on 2x4" boards on top of cinder blocks. That puts them about 12" off of the ground. We received a lot of rain this year but it is not a real moist area.
When the bees were at the farm they were on top of a trailer deck that was about 2' off of the ground.
I do not think the ground moisture is the problem.
Jim

[Intheswamp]

Oh man, don't let anybody around here no I'm wearing that "queen bee" title right now...they'd never let me live it down...the guys at work are vicious!!! :-D  If I make a crop this year it will be my third one.  I got my first sting in 2011.  :laugh:  But, I still feel very much like a newbie. ;)

I dunno, the moisture aspect probably doesn't matter to the beetles, but for some reason I feel that a general moist (not wet) area around the hives promote a higher population of beetles...kind of like they know the moist ground will be a good environment for their larvae to pupate in...that they can sense the micro-climate surrounding the hive...the 1/8 to 1/4 acre surrounding the hives.  But, many years ago I believed in Santa Claus, too.   :-\

Btw, I just put the paint on my modified bottom boards last night.  I'll get a picture or two of them, today.  I've still got one wrinkle with them to iron out.

Ed

[RHBee]

Why :? Is it for you are them......

Ed,
I gotta ask the same question. Full sun and strong colonies are the first line of defense against the SHB. Shade makes the hive more inviting.
Ray

[capt44]

I have several hives in full sun, hive beetles aren't a problem.
But I also have some in partial shade which the hive beetles are a problem.
I put my hives on Black Plastic that is 1/8 inch thick.
The beetle larva drops out on the plastic and the heat kills them.
I got the plastic from the natural gas sites that have been Fracking.

[BeeMaster2]

Ed,
I just got back from vacation, been gone for 9 days. I checked the oil traps of all of my hives. I was expecting the trays to be full of them. I don't think there are any more in the trays than were there after the first couple of days. I suspect it was just the stress of moving the hives and re orienting to a new area. Looks like all of the hives are growing and most are putting on weight.
Jim

[Santa Caras]

But, many years ago I believed in Santa Claus, too.   :-\

Ed

Not too late to get coal and underwear in the stocking!!!
+<[];-{)}}}}