Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Beesilly on March 15, 2008, 11:54:46 pm

Title: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Beesilly on March 15, 2008, 11:54:46 pm

I have several ideas of where to put my Ob hive... just what is the best way to direct the entrance for my OB hive? I think my best locations are a north and west facing window. Getting a east facing window will not be easy, but might be possible. Thank you! This forum is wonderful!
Beesilly

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: JP on March 16, 2008, 12:35:08 am

Quote from: Beesilly on March 15, 2008, 11:54:46 pm

I have several ideas of where to put my Ob hive... just what is the best way to direct the entrance for my OB hive? I think my best locations are a north and west facing window. Getting a east facing window will not be easy, but might be possible. Thank you! This forum is wonderful!
Beesilly

Face east if possible. Sun rises in the east, north could be bad, too cold. Since its just an observation hive though, you know it just might not be that critical.

...JP

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Ross on March 23, 2008, 04:37:12 pm

It's a trade off.  Direct sun on an OB hive is generally not a good thing.  They can overheat very quickly.  Mine faces north, but I have a deflector to block off some of the north wind from the entrance.

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Michael Bush on March 23, 2008, 04:55:42 pm

Direct sun would be my concern as well.  Mine faces south, but is in the shade of a large cedar tree so there isn't direct sun on it.  But a curtain can do as well as long as you don't accidentally leave it open.  Can you say "solar wax melter"?

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: buzzbee on March 23, 2008, 05:18:14 pm

Mine is against a southern wall in the house with a tube going out a southern window.

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Beesilly on March 25, 2008, 10:11:03 pm

Ok thanks! I'm still choosing my spot! :roll:
Another question... is it ok if the entrence is 25-30 feet high off the ground?
I'm planning to put it in my attic, but still not sure...
Beesilly

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: JP on March 25, 2008, 11:28:51 pm

Quote from: Beesilly on March 25, 2008, 10:11:03 pm

Ok thanks! I'm still choosing my spot! :roll:
Another question... is it ok if the entrence is 25-30 feet high off the ground?
I'm planning to put it in my attic, but still not sure...
Beesilly

Can we assume that your attic has been converted into a finished room? 25-30' entrance, no problem, shoot 40-50' up if you want to, the bees aren't afraid of heights last time I checked.


...JP

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Beesilly on March 26, 2008, 06:20:00 pm

Yes its a finished room. Looks like bees are going in the attic! I'm going to have to drag a mini fridge, and a comfty chair up there! Hehe!

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: Kathyp on March 26, 2008, 06:46:06 pm

mine with be on a south wall with a south entrance.  i high entrance should be a +.  the bees will be over the heads of anyone walking by.

Title: Re: West, East, North, or South facing window for OB hive?
Post by: JP on March 26, 2008, 06:55:59 pm

Quote from: kathyp on March 26, 2008, 06:46:06 pm

mine with be on a south wall with a south entrance.  i high entrance should be a +.  the bees will be over the heads of anyone walking by.

Right on Kathy, a very high flight path. No one will ever know he has them.


...JP