I thought the most difficult thing about putting hives on my rooftop would be hauling them up there. I imagined rigging up some McGyver-style pully system to carefully hoist my freshly-painted hives onto their new perch. The roof is perfect: flat, south facing, near a terrific observation window. What could be difficult?
This weekend I advertised on my local moms’ list for cinder blocks so that I could build a cheap and simple hive stand, and thus spare my back a bit. Plus, I figured that setting the hives directly on the roof would probably be bad, since perhaps things wouldn’t drain very well and the hive would rot. Plus Corky schooled me on how much bees dislike moisture.
And then the investigating began.
Fellow beeks told me I didn’t have much to worry about. Since the roof doesn’t have singles, I’m not likely to cause water retention in places I don’t want it. Wood pallets were suggested, with shims to level them out.
Contractor and architect friends started talking about weight, sagging rafters, kerfing support boards to improve drainage, and deflection. Yikes! They also suggested I place the hives away from the edge in case of earthquakes, and that I not block the window in case I need a “hunky fireman” to rescue me. While the hunky fireman was a pleasant thought, hunky firemen accidently knocking the hives definitely is not.
So, now I am playing around with our architectural plans and a picture of my rooftop to figure out the ideal location for the hives. Then off to buy some plastic lumber, which I will kerf for drainage and place perpendicular to the rafters. But not blocking the window and not too close to the edge in case of earthquake. And not using cinder blocks because those are too heavy and abrasive.
Any other rooftop beekeepers out there with creative and structurally sound ideas? Send them my way!
Thanks for directing me to your blog via the urban farm co-op listserv! I am excited for you to get going with your first season. I am just getting into my second season with Warre hives (and second season as a beek).
My bees make regular appearances on my bike/ gardening blog- feel free to drop on by sometime!
Something else to consider, you need a place to stand to work the bees. Most roofing materials don’t like excess foot traffic. You may want to create a floor of some sort where you will be standing to work.
I must admit that I ran way from my hives a couple times during the first few times I worked them. I wasn’t screaming like a little girl, but the sounds were not the manliest I’ve ever made.
i just wanna hear more about the hunky firefighters!