Choosing a Beehive and hive location

Choosing a hive

Honeybees can build hives in nearly any protected area such as hollow tree trunks or gaps between walls in buildings. Today honeybees are kept in hives with removable frames allowing the honeycomb to be removed easily with no damage to the bees themselves.

Contemporary hives have very specific parts which include: the hive stand which keeps the beehive off the ground so it is less likely to be attacked by termites, flood, or rot if water gets under the hive. The hive stand can be anything under the hive to keep it off the ground and level, such as a wooden stand or a layer of bricks. The hive rests on three side panels on top of the bottom board with the fourth panel forming the entrance.

The main area of a standard hive, called a brood chamber, usually holds ten frames for which the bees can build their comb and houses the bees. Above the brood chamber are areas called supers where excess honey is stored.

The inner cover of the hive is a flat piece of wood with a hole in the centre for ventilation. The top cover must be waterproof to protect the hive.

Choosing a hive location

Choosing the right location for your hive can have an impact on how productive your bees are and, in turn, how much honey they produce for you. Bees can travel over a mile to find pollen and nectar, but are more productive with sources of both closer to the hive. Facing the hive entrance to the South is the best way to get the most work out of your bees as they usually fly from morning until early afternoon; if the bees see the sun earlier, the earlier they will start work.

It is also a good idea to have a water source near your hive as bees need water to cool the hive during hot weather and to dilute honey although they can drown in deep water. Also, bees are affected by temperature and do not work if it is too hot or too cold. Honeybees can not fly if it is too cold, yet they do not work if it is too hot out either.

Providing a small amount of shade for your bees is recommended, but they do not like too much shade. You must also remember your neighbours when deciding where to place your beehive; most people won't want bees flying across their back garden all day. A high wooden fence is recommended in the same direction as the hive opening, this way the bees will have to fly over the fence and above neighbors homes as well.