Hive Management – Page 5 – Wise Beekeeping

The Safe Distance For a Beehive to Be From a House One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a location for a beehive is the safety of children and pets. A beehive can be quite dangerous to young children, and pets are naturally curious about their environment. As such, a beehive is best kept as far away from the house as possible. Children, however, are the main reason why this distance is important. Keeping a beehive away from a house As a beekeeper, you've probably wondered about keeping a beehive away from houses. Well, bees have a defensive nature, and it's best to keep a distance between your hive and a house. If possible, keep the hives a considerable distance apart, as the bees need space to fly. Bees will also spread out more when they're foraging. If you spot a swarm of bees, leave the area immediately. Bees are sensitive to smoke and will leave the area if they can smell a burning fire. Keeping the swarm away from your house is a challenge, but it is not impossible. Just be sure not to approach the hive while it's being smoked. Bees are territorial and can get aggressive when provoked. Some homeowners have found success by using mothballs to repel the bees. A solution of mothballs and cheesecloth can be hung near the beehive. The more mothballs you place near a beehive, the stronger the deterrent. Another option for preventing bees from swarming is trapping. Bees can be lured into a container with a sweet treat. There are commercially-made traps that can do the job. Homemade bee traps can also be used. If you don't want to risk the bees flying out of your hive, place it near an open source of water at least 50 feet away. Bees do not like to fly miles to get to a water source. They also like to be near food sources. In addition to being dangerous, bees are not safe to have on a house's roof. In addition to being dangerous, they are illegal. One of the most common questions asked by beekeepers is how far away from a house should be. In general, beehives should be at least three feet away from a house, but it depends on the size of the backyard. A backyard hive is usually big enough and can safely be placed in a garden, but if there's a high-traffic area, a backyard beehive may not be a good idea. Keeping a beehive on a lot is acceptable The city or town where you live will likely determine how many beehives you can keep on a certain lot. In general, a lot of at least 6,000 square feet is sufficient for two beehives. For lots between ten and twenty thousand square feet, you can keep up to six hives. It's recommended to keep hives on separate sides of the lot, away from roads and sidewalks. Also, you should make sure that entry paths remain within the lot's boundaries. If the neighbors complain, the city can also enforce a fence, but that could be difficult to accomplish. The City of Skokie's Health and Human Services Department regulates beekeeping on a property within its jurisdiction. Beekeeping is legal on properties with more than five acres, and is permitted on existing farmstead or rural residential zones. You must also obtain the permission of property owners in adjacent properties to keep bees on their property. There are strict ordinances regulating beekeeping, so check with your city's health department to see if you're allowed to keep bees on your lot. Keep in mind that it is not acceptable to keep beehives on a lot where children can access them. Those children and pets can easily get stung by the bees. As long as you secure the hives with crank straps, your neighbors will likely be happy to have you as a beekeeper. This way, you can also educate them about the importance of beekeeping, and make them understand its benefits. Before letting neighbors know about your bees, try to establish open communication with them. Give them your contact information, and encourage them to contact you if they have any concerns. Do not let them panic if you don't know how to answer their questions. If they have any concerns, don't hesitate to ask them, and keep in mind that their input is essential. There is no need to be defensive or embarrassed, so talk to them. Keeping a beehive in the sun Keeping a beehive in a sunny location is safe enough, but what about the safety of your family and pets? While children will naturally be afraid of bees, pets are curious by nature and may find the hive alarming. Keep the hive a safe distance from the house. If you do not plan to allow children or pets to come near the hive, it may be a good idea to keep it at a distance from the house. Bees need plenty of space to fly. Without enough space, they may encounter obstacles or sting people in the house. Even if they are not hurt by flying into the house, the hive should be at least five feet away from the house. Bees need at least three square feet of space to fly around and forage safely. If the hive is too close to the house, it might cause the bees to become disoriented and fly in a different direction. Place the hive in the south or southeast corner of your property to receive maximum sunlight. Ideally, it should be able to receive morning sun as well as afternoon shade. This will allow the bees to emerge from the hive earlier in the morning. In warmer climates, hives should receive some afternoon shade as well. This is because hot weather can exhaust bees. You should also space the hives two feet apart. This distance is good for efficiency and movement of equipment. You should leave at least two feet of space between each hive. This will reduce drifting and ensure that the hives are not crowded. If you do place them closer to the house, the distance will not be too much of an issue. It is important to provide water for your bees. Bees need water for two main reasons: to keep the hive temperature at a moderate level and to mix pollen. Water is also an important source of nutrition, and a nearby source of clean water is the ideal environment. As with any other food source, it's best to place a water source 50 to 100 feet from the hive. Bees don't mind murky water, as long as it's clean and safe. Keeping a beehive in the shade Keeping a beehive in shade is important for several reasons. Not only does the hive stay warm and dry, it also helps pollinate fruit trees and vegetable gardens. In addition, the bees make a sweet nectar called honey. Beekeepers in warmer climates may find it unnecessary to provide shade during the hottest part of the day. If you live in a warm climate, however, keeping the hive in the shade may be a good solution. Beekeepers recommend placing their hives in the shade if possible. The reason is that the direct sunlight may become very hot, making it more difficult for the bees to stay cool. The temperature of the brood must stay around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The bees will cool themselves by spreading a thin layer of water on the comb and fanning their wings in the air currents. This process is called evaporative cooling. Ideally, the hive should be situated 25 feet away from a house or building, but you can position it anywhere in your yard, provided it is in the shade. Bees can be aggressive toward humans, but they will quickly return to their friendly and cooperative nature. Even if they do not sting you, they will eventually get over their initial aversion to your presence. Beekeepers often use entrance blocks to protect the hive during windy weather. This allows for adequate ventilation, but keeps other animals from accessing the beehive's interior. Beekeepers can use wooden blocks or perforated wood doors. Either way, these entrance blocks are a must-have part of your beekeeping equipment. A little wind is fine, but keep the entrance out of the wind's way. Depending on the season and the location, bees can thrive with either sun or shade. However, beekeeping experts recommend facing the hive southeast, where the sun rises in the morning. Bees will begin their work earlier in the morning, when the sun is lower in the sky. Without sunlight, they can't begin working, so the hive should be positioned in partial shade.