Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[bobdurivage]

What is the minimum recommended spacing between hives?

[Barbara]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have no idea if there is a recommended spacing. I would suggest that enough room to work between them is the best guide.
It can be helpful to change the angle of approach to the hives ie entrance pointing in slightly different directions, particularly if they are all a uniform design, to prevent drift of bees from one hive to another, or some people pin or paint coloured symbols to the front to help the bees to identify their home from the other hives, a bit like house numbers on front doors.
It is a good idea not to have too many in one apiary, so that there is plenty of local forage for them all to thrive.

Regards

Barbara

[trekmate]

I'd like to add (bearing in mind "Natural Beekeeping") that Tom Seeley says that wild colonies are rarely closer than 100 yards apart.

For most of us that is unachievable, but I try to limit hives to two in each location (I have six in one apiary! ). Separation is maximised i.e. entrances at least five feet apart with varying directions.

EDIT: Availability of forage throughout the season is the limiting factor which would have to be a "local" decision.

[Barbara]

[trekmate]

[Barbara]