Beehives near highways

sterling · January 13, 2011, 08:04:55 PM

I have a place I would like to put a couple hives this spring [alot of wildflower and blooming trees and vines in the area} but it is close to an interstate highway. About 300 yds from rightaway. Will the foraging bees get killed by the passing trucks and cars? The reason I ask is because I once drove through a sunflower field for miles in Kansas and we had to stop several times to scrape the honeybees off the windshield.

Keith13 · January 13, 2011, 08:10:26 PM

just a shot in the dark. But, I would guess some of your bees will be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it is like anything else hopefully enough will survive. As long as they are not directly adjacent to the highway I would guess you would be ok 300 yards is a long way

Keith

hardwood · January 13, 2011, 08:23:19 PM

They'll be fine there. The problem comes in from theft/vandalism...conceal the hives from view if you can.

Scott

PeeVee · January 14, 2011, 01:11:05 AM

I have thought about such a location as well. Then I got to wondering about all the pollution :-P

Acebird · January 14, 2011, 12:33:41 PM

http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv333/acebird1/Garden/DSCF0011.jpg

With the garden as our barrier no one even knows that we have a hive except those that know us. The hive is about 50 ft from the fence, right in the chicken yard. We don't have any control over the air pollution but neither does anyone else in the city. The hive is also under an illuminated, automated billboard that is supposed to be detrimental to bees. Things in nature have a way of adapting to human obstacles except for the poisons they use on their crops and livestock.

D Coates · January 14, 2011, 03:57:35 PM

Quote from: Acebird on January 14, 2011, 12:33:41 PMexcept for the poisons they use on their crops and livestock.

If that's the case then why are improved chemicals created and used to deal with chemical resistant microbes, insects, plants etc? In nature, things are and will always be adapting due to evolution. A great example is how bee's caught on pretty quickly to tracheal mites. Another great example is how quickly Varroa mites have been able to adapt to the various chemicals specifically designed to eliminate them.

To avoid a potential soapbox, I'm not even going to give credence to ask who "they" is.

Acebird · January 14, 2011, 05:02:35 PM

QuoteIf that's the case then why are improved chemicals created and used to deal with chemical resistant microbes,

Chemical companies do not care that their chemicals do not work after a short time period. The panic that results creates a dependency on more chemical solutions. "Corporatism" the act of increasing profits exponentially at all costs to someone else.

QuoteTo avoid a potential soapbox, I'm not even going to give credence to ask who "they" is.

Mentioning it implies you want an answer. I meant for "they" to be "humans"

D Coates · January 14, 2011, 07:04:26 PM

:roll: I don't know why I even try.

BjornBee · January 16, 2011, 08:35:08 AM

Quote from: D Coates on January 14, 2011, 07:04:26 PM
:roll: I don't know why I even try.

It took you long enough....... :cheer:

Dave360 · January 16, 2011, 03:58:32 PM

I have a similar question i want to put out some hives but the bees will have to cross the busy 2 lane highway to get to the main nectar source will this be ok ? :?

AllenF · January 16, 2011, 05:12:25 PM

I have heard that most bees fly with in 30 feet of the ground. Just how often is the highway busy vs. how many bees cross? What is across the street that is not on your side of the street? Honey bees will tap about two million flowers and fly 50,000 miles to make one pound of honey, so they are flying all over the place.

Keith13 · January 16, 2011, 05:16:26 PM

Quote from: Dave360 on January 16, 2011, 03:58:32 PM
I have a similar question i want to put out some hives but the bees will have to cross the busy 2 lane highway to get to the main nectar source will this be ok ? :?

Yes

Brian D. Bray · January 16, 2011, 07:12:44 PM

Over the years I've noticed a few things about how bees travel to and from the hive/beeyard. Most bees will fly at as steep of angle as possible from a height of 30-50 feet depending on surrounding flora or structures. They will do it into and out of the direction of the prevailing winds. They fly above roadways at a sufficient height to avoid the turbulance created by passing vehicles.

If placed with the entrance near to and facing a building they will fly almost straight up, or in a tight spiral, to the height of the roof before heading for their chosen forage area.