hive location too shady?

johnwm73 · April 22, 2008, 03:41:20 PM

My hives are located right now in a part of my yard that doesn't get sun until about 10 a.m.. But it will get back into the shade about 6 p.m.. Will that be alright or do they need to be in the sun earlier? I really don't have a place to get earlier sun that isn't in the way. Any input will be helpful and the bees will thank you.

annette · April 22, 2008, 03:47:48 PM

I don't know. My bees get the sun from about 7:30 until 4:00. Then shade comes

I think you should be fine. I am sure they come out earlier when the weather warms up anyway.

Annette

tillie · April 22, 2008, 03:51:57 PM

My hives are in shade some of the day - they are located on my deck under oak and pine trees.

However, one big reason for early sun is to wake the bees up and get them working earlier. You'll just have bees that get out a little later - no big deal!

Another shade issue is that small hive beetles tend to thrive more in hives that are in shade than in sun, or so the posts would indicate.

Linda T with shade and sun in Atlanta as well.

Keith13 · April 22, 2008, 04:08:24 PM

Feral Bees live in trees and trees are normally shaded

johnwm73 · April 22, 2008, 04:39:26 PM

I appreciate the input. My concern was the lost time in the bees foraging. But I think I will move the hive I put in the sun tonight back to where I had it close to the other one. The other hive seems to be doing alright there. I will just have bees that I let sleep in.ha ha

KONASDAD · April 22, 2008, 04:49:56 PM

Dont worry. Do you live an "ideal" location? Probably not. Do the best you can. My hives get sun about 8am and they dont fly until about 9:30 this week anyways as its still cool in the a.m. here. If theres not enough sun, you may get a little more chaulk brood during damp parts of the year but a strong hive wont be bothered much. as someone pointed out, feral bees are often in dark forrested areas, shady sides of barns and what not.

Michael Bush · April 22, 2008, 11:14:31 PM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#locating

Flygirl · April 22, 2008, 11:38:09 PM

Interesting question! I've been wondering the same thing as I'm in Alaska & my hives don't get direct sun until about 10:00 either. But since our days are so long as we gain daylight they'll have close to 12 hours of sun by Solstice ~ June 21st ~ the longest day of the year.
FG

indypartridge · April 23, 2008, 07:38:52 AM

Quote from: KONASDAD on April 22, 2008, 04:49:56 PM
Dont worry. Do you live an "ideal" location? Probably not. Do the best you can.

Exactly. I live in a cabin in the woods. My colonies only get a few hours of direct sunlight. Yes, they'd probably be more productive if I had a perfect, sunlit spot to put them, but I like having them by the house where I can see and enjoy them.