REGARDING           Hive placement
 
In a related post, Ted Wouk commented about Allen Dick's observation:
 
>Allen Dick wrote:
>Well, there are many reasons bees can become mean:
>* Shade -- too cool a location
 
"I'm not questioning the advice but pondering the local and book
accepted advice of putting hives in the shade.  Is this a southern
(warmer climate) exception.  Or is it a northern climate issue that
since it's colder, you keep your hives in the sun.  I do know that when
it gets really hot here in Texas the bees resort to fanning in huge
numbers.  This may reduce honey production but I've never noticed an
increase in defensive behavior when it's hot.  When it's cold I don't
bother my hives.  I'm no authority on the matter but has anyone out
there got some logic for this?"
 
I'm not exactly in the far north (southeastern Michigan), but it does get down
to about 10 below here at times in the winter, and usually stays below 95 in
the summer, so I would say that our climate is pretty moderate.  Nevertheless,
over the years I have noticed that my bees seem a whole lot more comfortable
in the shade than in the sun.  I have gradually moved almost all my hives into
wooded areas, or at least at the edge of wooded areas where they get shade
most of the day.  My experience is that these bees are a much more
industrious, do a lot less fanning because it is just not that necessary, and
are also very productive.  I have not experienced any increase in
aggressiveness due to the shade.  Occasionally I have an aggressive hive
there, but the same may be true for a hive in the sun.  I attribute this
entirely to the queen, and when she is replaced it is a different hive
altogether.
 
Another advantage to a shaded location is wind protection in the winter.  I
have never wrapped my hives, and find that with an area protected by trees
(evergreens are the best, naturally) wind speed is greatly cut down, allowing
the bees to naturally conserve their heat more effectively.
 
And, finally, I must add that a wooded placement hides the yard from vandals,
who seem to find great pleasure in tipping over hives.
 
Ted Fischer