Turning a hive 90 degrees

[Levitt53]

Hi, I took delivery of my first colony yesterday. It is a very productive colony apparently. I chose where to put it and face it so that it was away from wind and had a hedge to fly up to and over. However it's dawned on me this morning that it's not going to get any morning sun so was thinking about swivelling it around 90 degrees so that it faces more easterly. I know and understand the 3ft/3mile year rule, but wondered if the bees will be more confused by just turning it round and the hive will be there minus the door. Maybe I should just see what happens this year and move it if necessary in the winter. Any thoughts?

 

[Erichalfbee]

The bees will find the entrance but the problem at this time of year is that while they are looking for it the may well get chilled, fall to the ground and not recover. I don't really think that entrance direction makes much difference but if you want to change it do it a few degrees at a time when it gets warmer? That's what I would do.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

entrance direction is not so crucial nowadays with OMF, but changing the entrance direction 90 degrees is no big deal, but as EHB says - you don't want them spending time finding the 'new' entrance in the present cold weather. wait until it's generally warmer than now and do it in two steps - 45 degrees at a time.

 

[Levitt53]

Ok thanks both. That makes sense.

 

[Millet]

Hi, I took delivery of my first colony yesterday. It is a very productive colony apparently. I chose where to put it and face it so that it was away from wind and had a hedge to fly up to and over. However it's dawned on me this morning that it's not going to get any morning sun so was thinking about swivelling it around 90 degrees so that it faces more easterly. I know and understand the 3ft/3mile year rule, but wondered if the bees will be more confused by just turning it round and the hive will be there minus the door. Maybe I should just see what happens this year and move it if necessary in the winter. Any thoughts?

It took me 3yrs and maybe longer to finally take the plunge and get my first bees, in-between that time I done research and lots of reading also videos on youtube which needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
My hive found a spot last year and it will not be getting moved anytime soon as I put a lot of thought into where it was going to go.
I'm new to this also but i'm puzzled to know what difference it will make turning a hive in the same spot, the sun will still be in the same place shining on the same ground weather the hive is facing NESW, imo the full hive needs moving not turning into a sunny spot.

 

[Robbo8916]

It took me 3yrs and maybe longer to finally take the plunge and get my first bees, in-between that time I done research and lots of reading also videos on youtube which needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
My hive found a spot last year and it will not be getting moved anytime soon as I put a lot of thought into where it was going to go.
I'm new to this also but i'm puzzled to know what difference it will make turning a hive in the same spot, the sun will still be in the same place shining on the same ground weather the hive is facing NESW, imo the full hive needs moving not turning into a sunny spot.

Similar thinking here. Surely the location of the entrance (apart from the obvious as stated above [not sarcasm]) is irrelevant if you are simply turning the hive on the same footprint?

 

[Poly Hive]

Actually the sun warming the front of the hive and shining invitingly into the entrance does make an odds so if the hives are facing slightly West to take advantage of the evening sun as going out too early is a time waste but taking advantage of evening warmth is not.

PH

 

[Millet]

Hi, I took delivery of my first colony yesterday. It is a very productive colony apparently. I chose where to put it and face it so that it was away from wind and had a hedge to fly up to and over. However it's dawned on me this morning that it's not going to get any morning sun so was thinking about swivelling it around 90 degrees so that it faces more easterly. I know and understand the 3ft/3mile year rule, but wondered if the bees will be more confused by just turning it round and the hive will be there minus the door. Maybe I should just see what happens this year and move it if necessary in the winter. Any thoughts?

Actually the sun warming the front of the hive and shining invitingly into the entrance does make an odds so if the hives are facing slightly West to take advantage of the evening sun as going out too early is a time waste but taking advantage of evening warmth is not.

PH

My way of thinking is, if its getting no sun nothing will be warmed up, I may be wrong and it will not be the first time.

 

[Poly Hive]

Ambient temperature will take an effect. In time....

PH

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Surely the location of the entrance (apart from the obvious as stated above [not sarcasm]) is irrelevant if you are simply turning the hive on the same footprint?

bees are very precise as to finding something - let's say the entrance was originally facing North and you suddenly turn it to facing south - they will fly away and return to the north facing side and find no entrance, this will confuse them although they will eventually find the new entrance but not before taking some casualties - at this time of the year it's especially risky as it is still pretty cold and tired bees might not have the energy to fly around for a few more minuters trying to find the new entrance (finding the hive will not be a problem obviously, but hanging around outside in the cold will)

 

[Robbo8916]

bees are very precise as to finding something - let's say the entrance was originally facing North and you suddenly turn it to facing south - they will fly away and return to the north facing side and find no entrance, this will confuse them although they will eventually find the new entrance but not before taking some casualties - at this time of the year it's especially risky as it is still pretty cold and tired bees might not have the energy to fly around for a few more minuters trying to find the new entrance (finding the hive will not be a problem obviously, but hanging around outside in the cold will)

I fully understand that, I kind of tried to state that but was travelling so couldn't type a long answer. Thats why I did my square brackets within more curvatious brackets.

So it wouldn't cause much of an issue in summer I guess?

 

[enrico]

The early sun does make a difference. The bees will fly earlier if they can see the sun from the entrance. They know they can navigate easily, they will then fly until dusk. You can gain two or more hours by getting the sun in them early. I have hills round me and the hives have to wait their turn for the sun to get on the front. As the sun reaches each hive they start flying. The more flights the more honey. I actually don't face mine east as the sun takes time to get over the hills but I catch it as early as possible.
E

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I fully understand that, I kind of tried to state that but was travelling so couldn't type a long answer. Thats why I did my square brackets within more curvatious brackets.

So it wouldn't cause much of an issue in summer I guess?

More than you think - so why take the risk? heard of bees getting stressed out for days hunting for the entrance.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Catching the early sun can make a difference and will mostly make them fly earlier, but they don't always notice a cold wind until they're outside, so it's often better to have a hive facing more south than east.

Also, take account of the direction from which you approach a hive. It's better for you to walk towards the back rather than the front (entrance), and to have flight lines that take them straight up rather than letting them go straight, and low, across a garden or field where they can bump into people or animals.

 

[Robbo8916]

Question answered. Cheers guys

The garden my bees are going into is south facing but I wasn't planning on putting facing the hive in the direction of the road as I don't want the bees getting stuck in people's hair on their way out. So will be facing the hive entrance east which will force them up a good 12ft and over the neighbouring house before they set off.

We live and learn more each day =)