Hive orientation

[Tabby15]

I have been trying to find an answer to this through my own research but can't.

I have three hives on one long stand in a sheltered area of my garden, alongside my house. I can't walk behind the stand. The end hives face away from each other, roughly one North, one South. I can inspect them standing in front of the stand, which means I am to the side of the hives.

The third hive was added in the middle last week to home a swarm and is doing well but I have to stand in front to inspect which is not good. I want to turn the hive 90 degrees to face north.

Will the bees get confused? The other hive that faces north is about two feet away, and could be moved further.
I was intending to put some greenery in front of the entrance to help them orientate themselves.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just turn it a few degrees daily?

 

[Davelin]

Turn it about 30 and leave for a couple of days then another 30. Should take about a week.
Some would say 2 x45 turns

 

[user 6228]

it has been determined that bees prefer south faceing entrances - see wisdom of the hive by t seeley. According to our regional bee inspector the risk of nosema is reduced by pointing hives towards the sun.
i suggest a solution that has all the hive facing se to sw if possible

 

[Tabby15]

Thank you. I think we might be able to do that instead.

 

[Tabby15]

A difference of opinion on beekeeping matters- how unusual! Thanks for the advice. We will turn 30,30,30. - to the south.

 

[Apple]

I met a chap a good many years ago, in Lewes Sussex, who had invented a device on which to place a beehive so that it tracked the sun throughout the day, reorientating back to east for sunrise the next day overnight.
He claimed that his honey production went from 60 to 120 lbs in the same colony.
I recall he had Greek bees, would they have been Carniolians? Crepolian???
Just a pointless thought!

James

 

[ijcooper]

I recall he had Greek bees, would they have been Carniolians? Crepolian???

Cecropian.