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Rhea1957 New Bee
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Maryland USA
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 6:04 pm Post subject: South vs North facing entrance |
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I am brand new to beekeeping. I have a top-bar hive that has a new package installed on May 1, 2014. The girls have made about 3 combs already and I am so excited.
I read you should face the entrance to the south. We took the hive to the level spot on top of a hill near our home. I had grandkids helping me and somehow or another we faced their entrance to the north ?!?!?! I have no idea how I missed that one. They are protected as it faces another slight incline in the hillside and past that is a treeline.
Should I attempt to move the entrance to the south? I guess I could move them a few inches every day? Or is this really not going to be a problem. I feel so dumb to have missed this for two weeks. I don't want to do something that will make things worse. Any advice?
Help! |
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Trip Foraging Bee

Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Posts: 130 Location: USA, New York, Westchester
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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Others may disagree, but as long your north entrance is protected from the winter winds I wouldn't bother moving the hive. Your spring and summer weather is warm enough that you don't really need early morning sun on the hive entrance to warm it up. |
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Rhea1957 New Bee
Joined: 07 May 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Maryland USA
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 1:02 am Post subject: |
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thanks for the reply---it gets lots of sun from the east and it is protected by the hillside |
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catchercradle Golden Bee

Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 1551 Location: Cambridge, UK
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 7:44 am Post subject: |
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I would agree, a cold wind into the entrance would not be good but the morning sun warming the hive is in my view what makes the difference, not whether they can get a tan on the porch. |
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MikeRobinson Foraging Bee
Joined: 01 Apr 2012 Posts: 201 Location: Upper Northwest Georgia, USA
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 2:14 am Post subject: |
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Have no fears about such things. In the wilds, bees live in trees and barn-walls and eaves without much regard to whether they face north or south. Just sit back and enjoy them. |
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rmcpb Scout Bee

Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 447 Location: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 7:47 am Post subject: |
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So long as they have the protection from cold winds it does not matter which direction you face the entrance.
Cheers
Rob. |
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imkeer Foraging Bee

Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 203 Location: Belgium, Antwerpen, Schilde
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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Even though it may be true that an entrance directed to the north would be no problem, (I don't know that , I would say it all depends on the location and such) it is possible to turn the hive in let's say 2 times. A quarter turn one day and the next or a few days later another quart. If it is okay to move a hive 3 feet than it would be no problem to turn it around...
Luc P. (BE) |
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biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Or you could use a periscope entrance, which would keep the wind out from all directions. |
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Bleith Guard Bee
Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Posts: 51 Location: West Dundee, IL. USA
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 3:37 am Post subject: |
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Can you add a periscope entrance anytime? Or should you wait for a certain season? |
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biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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If you don't mind drilling holes while bees are inside... |
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Barbara Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Posts: 1857 Location: England/Co.Durham/Ebchester
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Having done exactly that 2 years ago I can say that, although I suited up, it was no problem to me or my bees. |
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stevecook172001 Moderator Bee

Joined: 19 Jul 2013 Posts: 443 Location: Loftus, Cleveland
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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biobee wrote: | If you don't mind drilling holes while bees are inside... | That'll be where one of these comes in handy....
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biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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Just the job. Best not use power drills in those circumstances... |
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Bleith Guard Bee
Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Posts: 51 Location: West Dundee, IL. USA
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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I have a HTBH built to your spec Phil. The entrance holes have been a little confusing for me however. I currently have 3 holes drilled on the long side about 2" apart and about 1" or so above the bottom about 1/3rd down from one end. For the periscope entrance, where should the holes be? How far above those? Is there an I deal height? Also, I built a periscope when I built the hive. Just didn't drill the holes and instal it. I would like to because it turns out that my entrance faces north and where I live the winters can be pretty bad. Any info is appreciated |
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