Let's talk BEE HOUSES please....

BEH · February 24, 2008, 04:34:04 PM

If I understand correctly, the main purpose of a Bee House is to protect the hives, and beekeeper, from severe weather in harsh northern climates right?

Well, I am considering a small house for my soon to be errected hives (just 2) for another reason CAMOUFLAGE !! To screen my hives from fearful neighbors and nazi suppresionist official types :evil:

Seriously though, I want the hives to be as un-noticable as possible. I am considering either a garden playhouse sort of building or perhaps a roofless fort or castle. The hives will be in it year round.

While our winters do sometimes drop below 30 for short periods, over all they are mild, so I am not concerned with that.

90-100 is not unusual during summer though and we have very high humidity.

Yes, I know some of you face much more extream conditions, bear with me :)

I am concerned about the 'house' acting like an oven, and also about the amount of direct sunlight(or lack thereof) and air circulation.

I imagine a roofed enclosure will shade them during the hottest part of the day, but you know how hot it gets in a shed during the summer. Even with plenty of ventilation, I dont know if they will be hotter with a roof or without.

With a roofless shelter they would probable have full sun during the middle of the day with partial shading provided by the walls during the morning and afternoon.

I figure I can have one entire wall that opens for easy access, and darkly screened windows on all sides for better air movement but low visability. With a roof I will make sure there are adequate openings for the bees to come and go.

What do you think? which would be better? Will the bees get baked or just move out in search of better accommodations?

I want my new girls to be happy and productive.

I am not doing this for decorative reasons, I'm not the froofy sort, but out of necessity. If I am to have them in my city yard they need to be practically invisible. A small decorative building seems to be my best bet at success.

Opinions want, Barbra :)

jimmyo · February 24, 2008, 05:32:28 PM

I think you have a great idea. As long as you can keep it cool in the summer you could hide your hives in a small shed.
I wonder if you could make it large enough for you to walk in?
Could you make your entrance like those of an observation hive? that entrance could be hidden behind a shrub.
This sounds soo cool, can you keep us updated on your progress?
Jim

buzzbee · February 24, 2008, 06:28:09 PM

You could stockade fence an 8 or 10 ft square area too and leave the top open.The bees will go up and over the fence and probably never be noticed.

BEH · February 24, 2008, 06:37:15 PM

My yard is a big rectangle. I have a shed, one tree with my sons tree house in it (which he still plays in so I cant use that), a pool, garden beds, but no bushes to conceal anything.

You can look over my fence and see everything in my yard, which our utility meter readers do every month.
We also have mosquito inspections regularly thru out the summer by the health dept.

I really dont think my immediate neighbors would rat me out, I think they would like my hives and their benefits. My one neighbor is very sweet, I luv her, but her yard is a mess, and she likes it that way. Unfortunately, the city dosn't share her opinion of the beauty of nature, and they visit her every so often.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. A Bee Cottage could be really pretty.

I will most definitely keep you posted.

:) Barbra

BEH · February 24, 2008, 06:41:38 PM

Yeah, A stockade is kind of what I had in mind for the "Castle or fort" maybe not quite that big though. It will have to be decorative so it doesn't LOOK like we are hiding anything.

beekeeperookie · February 24, 2008, 10:04:06 PM

I live in the city and I keep my bees in my shed, I actually call it a honey house since i can walkin there and open hives without people noticing me. What i did is built a 8x12 shed, I put my three holes in the side of the shed for the bottom boards to stick out of the side of the building they are facing the east for the sun to come in. I also have a ventalation (sorry cant spell) in front and back on the top of the shed. Basically attic vents. So far they are doing great in there. I wanted to mention my shed is about a foot off the ground as well and I have the hives on 2x4s inside the shed.

Jerrymac · February 24, 2008, 10:09:15 PM

First question I have is... have you checked the city's rules and regulations on bees? If there is an ordinance against bees and you get caught hiding the hives I think that would be worse on you legally as they would know that you know that you are not suppose to have them and yet you are hiding them. Leave them out in the open and claim ignorance.

If it is OK to have bees then no problem.

I like my bees out in the sun. I hear it keeps more critters away. Screen bottom boards and top ventilation takes care of the over heating. Not all of my hives have screen bottom boards and none of them have any top vents. Have never seen bearding.

DayValleyDahlias · February 25, 2008, 01:35:50 AM

Maybe a cute little gazebo made of white lattice, then your hives would sorta be hidden but airflow and sun could still make it to the hives? You could plant vines on the sides facing your neighbors??

Sean Kelly · February 25, 2008, 06:14:05 AM

I got it, how about just painting your hives camo! Wouldn't that be cool, a hive in Realtreeâ,,¢ Camo!

Sean Kelly

beekeeperookie · February 25, 2008, 07:07:28 AM

There is no ordiance in my city, I just like keeping them in there and having them in a location covered.

I like the idea of a camo hive, have to build new hives this year might try the camo.

Eshu · February 25, 2008, 07:04:57 PM

It sounds like you are describing a slovenian hive house. You can do a web search to see some (I don't have enough posts under my belt to link) :(

beekeeperookie · February 26, 2008, 11:36:24 AM

yes that is what i base my design on, I will post a picture of my shed today

BEH · February 26, 2008, 12:48:50 PM

!!Lattice!! Why hadnt I thought of that? Thats an excellent idea. I've been thinking along the lines of a 6' X 4' 'garden shed' but perhaps a 6' round gazebo would be better. Beautiful and functional.

...now...where's my paper and pencil......I gotta think this thru....

Barbra :)

Brian D. Bray · February 27, 2008, 11:41:45 PM

Quote from: Sean Kelly on February 25, 2008, 06:14:05 AM
I got it, how about just painting your hives camo! Wouldn't that be cool, a hive in Realtreeâ,,¢ Camo!

Sean Kelly

How do you keep the colors in the camo paint from blending in the can? LOL Everytime I try making camo paint it ends up black.

poka-bee · February 28, 2008, 02:20:44 AM

Don't stir or shake??? :? :? :evil:

Jerrymac · February 28, 2008, 05:53:01 AM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on February 27, 2008, 11:41:45 PM
How do you keep the colors in the camo paint from blending in the can? LOL Everytime I try making camo paint it ends up black.

First you practice making polka-dot paint. Once you got that mastered the rest is easy.