Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Rhea1957]

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!

[Trip]

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.

[Rhea1957]

thanks for the reply---it gets lots of sun from the east and it is protected by the hillside

[catchercradle]

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.

[MikeRobinson]

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.

[rmcpb]

So long as they have the protection from cold winds it does not matter which direction you face the entrance.

Cheers
Rob.

[imkeer]

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)

[biobee]

Or you could use a periscope entrance, which would keep the wind out from all directions.

[Bleith]

Can you add a periscope entrance anytime? Or should you wait for a certain season?

[biobee]

If you don't mind drilling holes while bees are inside...

[Barbara]

Having done exactly that 2 years ago I can say that, although I suited up, it was no problem to me or my bees.

[stevecook172001]

[biobee]

Just the job. Best not use power drills in those circumstances...

[Bleith]

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