You must know what you are looking for when you select a site:
1. Books can tell that the hives in full sun should be all day, and in this country, which can to remain good, a good rule of thumb. But bees in South Africa was kept for many years I, this was not a good idea for two reasons.
The first was that wax melts at 110 degrees F. If we start very warm summers, she can cause a problem in full sun. Bees will spend much time collecting water to cool the hive instead gather nectar to make honey. The bees collect water then it evaporate through their wing beat at the entrance of the hive. This cools the hive, using the same principles used your fridge at home.
The second is comfort. Especially your own comfort. Remember that you will you spend time on your hive not only if you the hive, but also rob if time 'manage' to spend, and we do this will come later. The bees consider comfort. Bees may not be upset if it is too wet-, too windy, too hot or too cold and let you know that also (adding to your complaints!).
2. Next we should safety. I should imagine it would be the same problems with human thieving in this country since it in South Africa. It was heartbreaking to a bee house, come to find £ 500 damage for the hives and a few small swarms of 30 +, links, all for about £ 10-£ 20 worth of honey. Was done by the indigenous population, but the same type of damage could be caused by Badgers. If try Badgers in your area, the Apiary Badger proof. Or could the hive together some strong luggage straps and belt.
3. Have any kind of transport nearby, people walking past make, etc. safe, have a solid fence. A Board fence, wall or hedge-6 ft or higher. Make sure that the bees fly straight and hit someone on foot Cannon past with a solid fence which will force bees fly up and over the heads of passers-by.
4. Ensure that the hives by wind. Wind will lead either to the bees flee to (leave), is to find a better place, or you received with propolis, or bee gum / glue to block as it is sometimes called. The bees collect resin from trees and mix with it to make wax and pollen, propolis. This is not good for two reasons. First, let small holes in the propolis for access. This limits the movement of bees and the work ' slow down '.
Secondly, it takes to make 1 unit of propolis, seven times as much food as it by one of the honey - waste of the bees time to make.
5. This should been no. 1 as it is the most important: proximity to a nectar supply. Bees are lining up to 3 km from the hive, but if it not good enough source nectar nearby, you have been known to fly up to 12 km in search of food. Once you find it leave the hive and closer to the source. This is not good for beekeepers, who come back and find an empty hive.
Bees need many flowers. If I ran a bee farm in South Africa we would 'hunt' crops, moving from one harvest to another, so we could have year-round honey. Would we work on approximately one hectare of eucalyptus, 5 hectares offer a good return of honey beans and 2 hectares of citrus trees per hive. As a hobby a reasonable number could hold, more hives in an area as a commercial beekeeper perhaps.
A few other considerations not to do that on the position of the Apiary, but important none the less are:
a. ensure that people, especially children and animals, not the Apiary randomly type. If you have at home keep bees to warn only guests of the presence of bees. If your bees on someone other property, a farmer, for example, ensure that the site is secure.
should b. the hives on than be placed:
i. it solves the hive and less strain on your back, if you work at it.
II. it keeps the hive from the ground. This is to prevent rain splashing into input and keeps the humidity of soil and surrounding vegetation. This prevents that the cases of rotting of the bottom and sides of the brood Chamber.
III. it (should) the hive above the weeds cause that would impede the flow of bees go to and from the hive. Proper maintenance of the site should include periodic weeding to the hives. This should be smoke in the evening after a few good puffs into the entrance of the hive as bees do not like the smell of cut grass or disturbed vegetation too close to the hive.
IV. These are not in the UK, but if there is an ant problem in your area, there are ways around the stand Ant proof. Ants are tolerated by bees but a great can a serious impact on the amount of honey is making links enough colony of ants in the vicinity.
I have said much about the Apiary here, all of which is important but not leave, go on at any time on the 'paraphernalia' as I promised. We will next to do time.
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