Bees on a dusty road?

[tedh]

Josh is thinking about next year.  He wants at least 2 more hives and was thinking about putting one on the south side of his house.  Right up against the house, under some windows so he can see them come and go (from the rear).  I kinda like the idea but, there's a gravel road probably 20 or 25 feet from the spot he wants to use.  My concern would be the dust.  It's not that busy of a road but in the spring (planting) and in the fall (harvest) there's a LOT more traffic.  The road being south of the hive my guess is a lot of dust would or could get into the hive.  Any thoughts on this?  Thanks, Ted

[Perry]

I don't think it would be much of a problem.

[Lburou]

The prevailing wind could have an influence on the amount of dust.  What is your prevailing wind direction?

[tedh]

Thanks guys!  Our prevailing winds are from the west.  The road runs east and west, the hive would be located on the south side of the road.  My thought is, even with wind from the west, the way the dust billows out, it would encompass the hive.  Obviously with a southerly wind it would blow right at the hive.  Ted

[iddee]

Ted, if the hive is on the south side of the road, next to the house, is the entrance facing the house, "south", or facing the road ?"north"

[Bakersdozen]

Could some oil be sprayed on the gravel road with in the vicinity of the house?  Just a thought.  It would probably be easier to find a different location.

[Slowmodem]

Could some oil be sprayed on the gravel road with in the vicinity of the house?

Not in this day and time.   

[apisbees]

It is a fish oil extract that gets sprain on the roads that is why it doesn't last like it did when real oil was used. The dust don't worry about it, the bees are meticulous cleaners and will keep the hive clean white glove finger test the tops of the frames and they may be sticky, get some propolise on them but you wont find dust. it sounds like the hive will be on the north side of the house and this could be detrimental to the hive if in the shade of the house.

[tedh]

My bad.  I said the hive would be on the south side of the road.  It would actually be on the NORTH side of the road.  So To clarify, The hive would be right up against the south side of the house with the hive entrance facing south.  The gravel road is approx 20 to 25 feet south of the house and runs east/west.  Prevailing winds from the west.  We could have the road oiled but, there is a slightly significant cost for having that done, about $400.00 if I remember correctly.  I really don't want to pay it and I'm sure Josh couldn't/shouldn't pay for it.  So oil is probably out. I'm wondering if the dust might not get into the uncapped nectar and, well, stay there.  I have kind of a funny picture in my head of the bees running around in tiny little dust masks! It would be a neat place for the hive, easy observation from the window, but the dust, and it might get pretty hot there...  Maybe put it some place else?  Thanks Everyone, Ted

[apisbees]

The space between the combs is so full of bees that the dust would settle on the bees and never reach to comb of open honey.

[LazyBkpr]

Ted You know where my Hives sit on the hill, about thirty yards from the gravel road on the north side. When the wind is just right while checking those hives the dust rolls across like a white out. Dust from a hundred yards up the road still reaches them when the wind is coming out of the west. I do not see dust being a problem unless you start puffing it into the hive directly.