>I took 2 TBH's into the winter - one a Kenyan and the other a Tanzanian. 
>Neither survived the winter.

Seems to me that these hives are fine for a tropical climate where it may be 
to the bees advantage to spread horizontally.  In less favoured climates, I 
would suggest that a vertical configuration is more advantageous so that the 
bees can take advantage of rising heat and maintain cluster temperature.

I have other regular reports of TBHs failing in the UK.

Best wishes

Peter
52.194546N, -1.673618W 

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