In considering the location of a hobby hive or two, one must be aware of climatic conditions such as wind, shade, and the time the sun hits the hive each morning. Additionally, the location of a hive must take into consideration people, pests, and pets.
One should first consider if a backyard hive is appropriate. Both city and county ordinances may specify special requirements for those who wish to keep backyard hives. Neighborhoods increasingly have "restrictive covenents" which may not allow you to park a boat in your driveway or keep bees in your back yard. Check where applicable and follow any requirements.
The situation with the backyard hive is unique in that even when complying with all the necessary rules and regulations, one may encounter resistance from neighbors. Each individual must decide if neighbors need to be specifically informed. Educating others is one of the missions of this beekeepers group, and many of us have neighbors who have learned a great deal about honey bees. Some of us have neighbors who are only reminded of "bees in the 'hood", when a golden, gleaming jar of honey is left on the doorstep.
When placing a back yard hive, consider the bees flight path and make sure it does not cross sidewalks, or paths where people walk. You can use hedges to force bees to fly upwards, or block them from areas where people frequent. A local beekeeper has choosen to place his hive on the flat roof of a garage to keep it out of harms way and so that bees do not fly into the small unfenced yard.
For neighborhoods where swimming pools are common, bees must be given water sources so they don't drink from a chlorinated pool. If water is not readily available bees will drown by the hundreds in swimming pools and likely annoy the pool owner. For drinking water, I use a large (15 inch diameter) galvinized pan filled with cobble stones and placed at the edge of the garden. The stones prevents bees from falling in, and they are able to alight and drink at leisure.
Pets are usually not
compatible with bees. If dogs
live in the bee yard, they generally learn not to snap at bees in flight
or wander too close to the hive. Animals who have never been around
hives must learn to keep their distance. Turning a large breed puppy into
a yard containing a hive may not be wise, although after a few stings even
the most stubborn pets usually learn their lesson. Cats generally show
no interest in bee hives and my backyard chicken knows better that to consider
a bee on a flower as potential food.
Pests can destroy a hive in no time.
Especially in rural or unfenced settings,
native predators of hives occur. Central Texas has a wide variety of wildlife
including raccoons and the opossum which on occasion will plunder a hive.
Beekeepers who live where bear occur have their own set of problems.
Hives which are placed where wildlife occur should be fenced or otherwise
protected from predators. A healthy strong colony can often protect itself
from plundering but weak colonies may not have the numbers to ward off attackers.
The smaller pests which can attack a hive are also a problem when
a hive is in poor condition. Here in Travis County, many beekeepers
find a need to protect hives against Fire Ants. This introduced tropical
ant is an agressive species and will eat almost anything. At least two
local beekeepers lost their hive to fire ants, which swarm into the hive
and rob both the stored honey as well as the developing brood. Healthy
colonies may avoid the problem because vigilant guard bees detect the fire ants
when they first get into the hive. Weak colonies can be cleaned out
in less than 24 hours!
The best protection against fire ants is to keep grass, brush and vines from
the area around the hive. The legs of the hive stand can be set in cans
filled with cooking oil which will trap any ants attempting to crawl up into
the hive.
Now that the honey flow is over, watch here for additonal information about
the angle of the sun, wind and shade in choosing a hive location.
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Last modified 18 November 1998