Site Selection
Before installing our apiary, we checked property covenants and government regulations ( State, county, township) for applicable restrictions. We are fortunate to live in a rural area, zoned for agricultural use, on 6 acres. The State of Ohio has code requirements governing our apiary operation. Most cities will issue additional ordinances preventing or limiting the number of hives, their locations, distances from property lines, and requirements to erect barriers to force bees to fly over human traffic. Check and comply before building.
• Check ordinances, covenants, city & state codes
• Face entrances South or Southeast
• Full sun is best, and high ground, not low or wet areas
We chose a site for maximum sun and oriented the hive entrances to the southeast. We provided a winter windbreak on the East, North, and West sides of the apiary. Plants, fencing, straw bales, pallets, plywood, buildings, or a natural area will also work. We chose three panels of attractive fencing, but removed the panel on the East side after poor hive performance in the first two years due to excess shade. We have better survival from hives enjoying full sun in the apiary. Consider using attractive fencing to force bees to fly over a neighbor's property, even if ordinances do not require a barrier.
• Check ordinances, covenants, city & state codes
• Face entrances South or Southeast
• Full sun is best, and high ground, not low or wet areas
We chose a site for maximum sun and oriented the hive entrances to the southeast. We provided a winter windbreak on the East, North, and West sides of the apiary. Plants, fencing, straw bales, pallets, plywood, buildings, or a natural area will also work. We chose three panels of attractive fencing, but removed the panel on the East side after poor hive performance in the first two years due to excess shade. We have better survival from hives enjoying full sun in the apiary. Consider using attractive fencing to force bees to fly over a neighbor's property, even if ordinances do not require a barrier.