When you build a new apiary, you are usually in a hurry and build an open apiary. This decision, taken quickly in order to be able to start as soon as possible, prevents the construction of a covered apiary, which nevertheless has advantages. Let's look at the pros and cons before moving on to building a covered apiary.
The open apiary
It is the classic apiary that we find in the majority.
Advantages
- Easy to establish because you only need hive supports, possibly a hedge to protect against the winds and a barrier to limit access if you are not at home.
- Economic, because the realization requires few materials to implement.
- Little maintenance.
- Good brightness especially to see the eggs in the cells.
Disadvantages
- Impossible to work at the hives in case of rain.
- Hives exposed to bad weather and which will age faster.
- No shade in hot weather.
- Soggy ground in case of heavy rain.
- Vegetation around the hives to be eliminated in season.
- Need to maintain the hives more often.
Covered apiary
Advantages
- Possibility of working at the hives when it rains.
- Hives preserved from bad weather and with a longer lifespan.
- Protection from strong insolation in summer.
- Possibility of placing an anti-vegetation tarpaulin and covering it with gravel or a floor.
- Permanently dry ground.
- Possibility of recovering water from the roof by placing a gutter.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost of a covered apiary.
- Time required for construction.
- Apiary maintenance.
- Less good luminosity unless a roof allowing partial light to pass through is provided.
So open or covered apiary?
I think it mostly depends on where you are. If the conditions are harsh, frequent rains, snow that lasts a long time ... it is better to protect your hives and colonies. Otherwise, a good site multiplex plate covered with a weight to prevent it from blowing away in the event of strong winds, is enough to protect the hives from bad weather.
