In a message dated 99-04-05 21:19:32 EDT, [log in to unmask] (Scott Moser)
wrote:

<<     I hope everyones bees are as busy as mine here in St. Louis have been.
 I think I got a handle on the swarming for a while.  I do have my fingers
crossed.
      I have been trying to find good locations for outyards lately.  My
question is, can hives be placed in the woods near nectar sources.  I am not
too keen about placing the hives in fields where there will be people baling
hay.>>

   Sounds like a good plan to me. Most of my bee yards are holes in the
woods. I like to have full wind protection from prevailing winds (absolutely
necessary in late winter/early spring, even here in SC.  It's always a good
idea to avoid people traffic lanes.

  <<I am not worried about them disturbing the bees.  I am more concerned
about the bees disturbing them.  How far from the hives can machinery like
that operate without the bees accosting them?  Around here, by the time the
trees leaf out, the weather is warm enough to cause the bees to be fanning.
There would be little need for sunlight to warm the hives.  As far as I can
see, wouldnt the bees benefit from the shade provided.  How much shade can be
tolerated? Thanks in advance for your help in this matter. >>

    I'd rather have no shade in winter (ie: hardwoods) and partial shade in
summer. Bees in deep shade tend to be snotty and not very productive. But
full sun in the summer in the south or midwest can also hurt them, especially
when the temps get around 100F. In some northern locations where 80's is a
hot day, full sun is best year around.

Dave Green   SC  USA
The Pollination Home Page   http://www.pollinator.com
The Pollination Scene   http://members.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html

Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop on the Internet  (honey & beeswax candles)
http://members.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm