U-configured apiary layout

[Uncle Betty]

Am looking to set up my apiary for 10 colonies.

I can set them out in a U-shape, with entrances facing at 12 feet.

Is that a sufficient distance ?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[Hachi]

Ah misread post.

Mine are side by side in some apiaries so I cant see a problem. You'll always get drift I think

 

[Beefriendly]

You'll always get drift I think

If they are all your bees do you care if they drift?

 

[wessexmario]

to prevent drifting, facing in different compass directions helps as much as distance between them.
You could also vary the distance between hives so they're not spaced regularly, and having different colour roofs and/or landing boards which will also help returning foragers recognising 'home'.

The only way distance will prevent robbing in an apiary is if the hives are so far apart that they can no longer be called 'an apiary'.

 

[Hivemaker.]

The only way distance will prevent robbing in an apiary is if the hives are so far apart that they can no longer be called 'an apiary'.

What would it be called if the area stretched out to three or more miles full of beehives.

 

[Uncle Betty]

It seemed a straightforward question...


Different compass directions is taken care of, by virtue of the 'U'.

Twelve feet is four yards, not four miles.

Some will be side by side, about a yard apart.


My question remains... is 12 feet enough, between entrances that will be facing each other ?

 

[Hivemaker.]

is 12 feet enough, between entrances that will be facing each other ?

Yes.

 

[Uncle Betty]

Yes.

Appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JWF]

I'd personally have the entrances facing out, rather than in, which gives you a central area relatively clear of flying bees to work in. It does depend on what's on the outside of the U though, clearly.

 

[Uncle Betty]

I'd personally have the entrances facing out, rather than in, which gives you a central area relatively clear of flying bees to work in. It does depend on what's on the outside of the U though, clearly.

Yes, I'd have preferred that, but a bit awkward given what I have in place already.

Will rejig the whole thing in that way, hopefully next year, after I've set up some of these colonies in an out-apiary.

 

[DanBee]

What would it be called if the area stretched out to three or more miles full of beehives.

Californian almond grove?

 

[For want of a better word]

Mine are set in lines... as I have yet to come across a U shaped leyline*

anomaly in the Earths field bee navigate by?????

Nos da

 

[DanBee]

Mine are set in lines... as I have yet to come across a U shaped leyline*

Think intersections - perfectly plausible to have a U shape if two parallel woo lines intersect with a perpendicular woo line. Let's not forget the cumulative energies at those intersections - you'd probably need to stack colonies to fully harness the potential

Back to the question... As others have said, perfectly plausible at 12' apart, fly them outwards if you can, but even if they have to face inwards, run 'em warm way and inspect from the rear, that way you're 14' from the opposite colony.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Why not a circle ....ive seen that

 

[bontbee]

I have read that features such as shrubs/trees/large stones etc, help bees orientate within an apiary.

Unfortunately, my apiaries are too small to have the luxury of 12' between hives so I generally have two ranks - facing in opposite directions so I'm not walking in front of the entrance of either rank. Within each rank hives face in different directions. I don't seem to get a problem of drifting - at least, not sufficiently significant to notice - probably because the sites are very sheltered so wind has little effect on returning bees.

 

[For want of a better word]

Why not a circle ....ive seen that

Ask Finnie... World expert on fairie rings

Nos da

 

[coffindodger]

Problem with a U shape is when you want to expand - unless, of course, you have plenty of space at the ends.

 

[drex]

Have run my hives in a U configuration always. Entrances facing outwards. Not noticed any difference in activity between those with entrances facing south to those facing north. On the limbs of the U I point them in varying compass bearings. My hives are very sheltered from the wind, and I see no evidence of drifting - the hives at the end s of the U do not get overpopulated. Hives facing out give a convenient working area in the middle of the U.

 

[Popparand]

Is the 12 feet the maximum distance between hive entrances? Do you have a fence/hedge around the apiary - if so what distance should you be allowing between the back of the hives and the boundary barrier?

 

[Swarm]

Sufficient space to work safely.