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Date: | Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:08:20 -0500 |
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Interesting discussion. Every permutation of insulation, wrap, sugar and
ventilation, and none of the above, is being practised, depending on
preference and location. Bees are nothing if not adaptable. If only they
could tell us directly what they prefer! I use top and side insulation and
have observed the 'attractive' power of the top insulation reported by
others. It seems that the bees 'like' hanging out right up against the
insulation. I put a top sugar slab on all hives for winter with a sheet of
8 mesh on top so I can look in during late winter without the bees flying
out. Sometimes they eat most of the slab, sometimes not.
I delay putting on the insulation until the cluster has tightened up and
gone into quiet mode, so they don't get 'pulled up' too soon. A problem
this year, as there was warm and variable weather right into January. The
bees seemed restless during that time.
In terms of the effect of upper ventilation, it seems the bees are
attracted towards these locations and the cluster often extends towards the
opening. Why? Is it to do with airflow/ CO2 , or perhaps just the light
entering the entrance hole? This winter I am overwintering a 32 frame
wide deep langstroth horizontal hive for the first time. I have three temp
probes across the top to monitor which way the cluster is moving. It is
going towards the end that has a 3/4 inch top vent hole. I blocked off the
one at the other end.
I have temp probes in the top slabs of a few others to gauge how high the
clusters are. If they are over 20-25C consistently then the bees are
usually in or close to the sugar.
Rob Hughes
Upper Kingsclear NB
46N -66W
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