In a message dated 97-03-24 10:11:39 EST, you write: << Greetings All, I have a newbee question regarding locating my hives in my backyard. I have a 1/2 acre backyard and plan to setup 2 hives on the back property line. what would be the best way to position these hives in regards to each other (i.e., side by side a few feet apart, landing boards away from each other, etc). Also when I have to mow the grass, will a riding lawn mower bother the bees or should I use a weedeater to cut the grass around the hives for like five feet or more from the hive? Please post a response to the BEE-L or you can email me directly at [log in to unmask] Thanks in advance! Chris Blanchard Wilmington, NC >> Hello Chris My experence with a set up like your's is this, place hives where you want them, place them far enough apart to work between. Face the opening to the east or southeast. Spray grass with Roundup where you don't want it to grow, not to much,you don't want big dead brown spots. You now can ride your mower up close to the hives slowly, don't want to hit them. Make sure the first two passes you throw grass away from front of hives, dont throw grass in entrance. That will p.o.the little darlings. Works for me. Good luck Dennis Scott Dennis Scott Scott Farms Greenville, Ohio