What to look for in a hive site

[Agility Mom]

After having my five hives destroyed by bears last year, I am ready to start all over this year. I plan to put up a baited electric fence to try to keep the bears away or at least from getting to the hives. I want to put the hives in a new location as my old spot was hard to maneuver in.  How important do you think afternoon shade is? I want to face them to get morning sun but that may make it difficult on this property to get shade as they will be pretty much out in the open.

[reinbeau]

I think out in the open will be just fine for you up in Vermont.  Down south afternoon shade may be an advantage, up here in the frozen north I think they need all the sun they can get!  And so do we!  :lol:

[pdmattox]

I place mine in full sun. It helps with the small hive beetles.

[Kathyp]

mine are in full sun.  i just crack the tops open in the summer.

[Jerrymac]

Full Texas sun morning, noon, and night....... opps sorry no night sun.

[bassman1977]

Other things to consider:

1.  Don't put the hives in an area that gets swampy or has the potential of getting swampy,

2.  Flat ground helps keep the hives level.

3.  I agree that the more sun, the better.

[annette]

Full Sun here and it works out fine

[qa33010]

One hive gets full sun until the last couple hours of the day.  Others get full sun until mid afternoon.  When we finally get some decent land of our own they will be full sun all day.  I'll be miserable but this will help the hives.

[Michael Bush]

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

[Agility Mom]

Thank you all for your responses-it seems sun is the way to go. Very helpful for me. Michael, I found your information very interesting and got caught up in reading about a lot of other things. I intend to go back and read it all. Thanks.