New beekeepers tend to worry about cold because of the effect it has on
human bodies, but on the whole bees are better able to handle cold than
wet. Depending on humidity, dampness probably kills out more colonies
than cold, and therefore ventilation is of most importance. Since water
vapour is lighter than air and therefore will rise (all other things
being equal -i.e. no other strong air currents present), top ventilation
is therefore important. Many beekeepers in the West of Scotland (the wet
side) put matchsticks under the 4 corners of the top cover boards in
winter to provide this top ventilation and to prevent the water vapour
recondensing on the inside of the cover board.
However Lloyd's advice of asking your beekeeping neighbours is sound.
Alan Riach
Edinburgh

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