How far apart should two hives be?

jeremy_c · April 21, 2009, 12:17:23 PM

How far apart should two hives be?

Jeremy

mgmoore7 · April 21, 2009, 12:29:45 PM

They can be right next to each other.

Two Bees · April 21, 2009, 01:44:07 PM

Leave enough space between the hives so you can get the telescope top off.

If you live in a real windy area (i.e. hurricanes), leaving enough space between the hives so you can strap them down if you need to will come in handy!

Ernest T. Bass · April 21, 2009, 02:04:38 PM

Would facing them in opposite directions help prevent robbing and disorientation?

mgmoore7 · April 21, 2009, 02:05:53 PM

Quote from: Ernest T. Bass on April 21, 2009, 02:04:38 PM
Would facing them in opposite directions help prevent robbing and disorientation?

Yes

charmd2 · April 21, 2009, 03:47:13 PM

Would facing them in opposite directions help prevent robbing and disorientation?

I'm sure it would, but in my yard, they all fly off the same directions regardless. The ones facing the wrong direction do a neat little swerve when returning.

Keith13 · April 21, 2009, 04:09:06 PM

Quote from: Two Bees on April 21, 2009, 01:44:07 PM
Leave enough space between the hives so you can get the telescope top off.

If you live in a real windy area (i.e. hurricanes), leaving enough space between the hives so you can strap them down if you need to will come in handy!

Good tip I lost some hives to Gustave last year

Keith

jeremy_c · April 21, 2009, 04:20:44 PM

I'm in NE Ohio. I just installed my bees yesterday evening (first time bee keeper). I have two hives and they are 9ft apart, both with their openings facing east. The prevailing wind here is from the SW. Anyway, I am sure it's way to early to see anything but just going out this afternoon and looking at them (not opening tops or even really getting close to them) one hive has ~30 bees flying around it's front entrance, the other has 5 or 6. Seems to be quite a difference. I didn't know if they were taking off to go exploring from both hives and then all coming back to the wrong hive or something.

Jeremy

Two Bees · April 21, 2009, 04:54:47 PM

Jere,

Usually in the mid afternoon, you will have bees launching and doing a little circle in front of the hive and just hovering. These are orientation flights. Even with new packages, the bees have to orient the sun to the location of the hive so they can find their way back when foraging.

You also will notice (or have noticed) that each hive has a different personality. Not one is better than the other one necessarily. Just different.

Michael Bush · April 21, 2009, 08:34:39 PM

No closer than this:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#hivestand