How hives are arranged directly affects yield and ease of work. Neat rows look tidy but are often not the best solution.

The problem of drifting

When identical hives stand in a straight row the bees confuse their own. This is drifting.

The consequences:

• Colonies at the ends of the row grow stronger, those in the middle weaker
• Disease and Varroa spread between colonies
• A queen returning from a mating flight may enter the wrong hive and be killed

Arrangements that reduce it:

• Face hives in different directions
• Paint them in colours the bees can distinguish
• Place distinctive shapes around the entrances
• Set hives in groups with gaps between
• Use natural markers — trees, bushes, stones

Spacing

There must be working room between hives. Cramped spacing makes inspection difficult, leaves nowhere to set boxes and increases drifting.

Orientation

Entrances are set to catch the morning sun, which gets the bees flying early.

An entrance facing the prevailing wind increases heat loss and rain entry in winter.

Height

Hives are raised off the ground: moisture is cut off, timber rots more slowly, some pests find access harder and the beekeeper's back is protected.

Working height matters: too low strains the back, too high makes lifting the upper boxes difficult.

Securing

Hives can be blown or knocked over. A strap or a weight is a simple but important measure.

The flight path

There should be no human or animal traffic across the line along which bees leave and climb.

Where that is unavoidable, a fence or planting in front of the entrance forces the bees to travel above head height.

A working area

A working point in the apiary makes the job easier: a stand for frames, a lidded box, a tool bag and water.

A frame set on the ground gets dirty and attracts robbing.