observation hive placement question

[phill]

I'd like to make myself an observation hive. But I'm not sure there's a good place in my house for it.

The obvious location would be in my study. Trouble is, that's the coldest room in the house. The sun doesn't get to it until late afternoon. I'm afraid the bees wouldn't warm up and start flying until late, and the hive wouldn't thrive. Is that a legitimate concern?

If not in my study, would it be crazy to put an observation hive on the 2nd floor?

[AllenF]

Just how cold is that room?  I think it they would be fine.   Just don't cook them in a window from sunlight.   

[Robo]

Not sure it is comparing apples to apples,  but when I tried overwintering nucs in my basement,  the entrances where on the North side of the house and I definitely had issues with them flying in the early Spring.  There were many days my outdoor hives where flying and the basement nucs where not.

Why are you concerned with putting it on the 2nd floor?   That will pose no problem for the bees.

[Kathyp]

mine are in my LR.  we never heat the house over 68 and don't turn the heat on at night unless the pipes are going to freeze.  they get no sun on that side in the winter.  they seem to do fine....or as fine as OB hives do. 

[phill]

That's my concern, Robo. My study is in the northwest corner of the house-- and shaded to boot.

The 2nd-floor placement would be fine for the bees, but not so convenient for me when I want to get the hive outside.

[D Coates]

Phil,

How big are you planning to make the observation hive?  I've got a 5 frame deep and would be very leery of going up and down stairs with it.  I do have recycled 3/16 plate glass in it and with bees it weighs +/- 45 pounds.  Just thinking of dropping it gives me the shivers.

[Fanie]

I have read somewhere that one must be carefull to keep the bees in a 'heated' area while it could be cold outside.  Aparently they think it's warm and leave to harvest, once outside though they can freeze...

Your observation hive is a good idea though, I'm sure it would be very interesting to see.

[specialkayme]

I've been keeping my OH inside for a little over 5 years, and I've never had a problem with them being "too warm" or "too cold," and I keep mine in the coldest room of the house, with no heat on for a week or so a year when we go on vacation. Just make sure you don't roast them in the window, as an OH also works well as a solar wax melter, if you don't cover up the windows. They regulate the temp just the same as a regular hive. They also don't seem to get confused about it being warm inside, thinking they can go forage in the winter. When they make the walk toward the door, they get the hint that it's cold outside.

I've also never had problems with a North facing hive, but I must say that I don't keep the OH for productivities sake. It doesn't matter if they take an extra two or three weeks in the Spring to start flying (although I havn't noticed any delay).

My vote: Put them in the study. Make sure they have plenty of reserves if you are concerned. But, if you are the nervous type, put them in the 2nd story, they will do fine no matter what.