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Date: | Thu, 4 May 1995 23:01:24 -0500 |
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On Thu, 4 May 1995, Eric Abell wrote:
> There appear to be not only a great many beekeepers on this list but a
> log of beekeepers with a great deal of knowledge so I am going to share
> some science :) with you.
>
> I am in Northern Alberta, Canada with winter temeperatures reaching -40
> deg. C. All of my colonies are 4 to a pallet facing East and West. My
> practice is to wrap for winter with R20 insulation on top and R12
> insulation on the sides.
>
> I have wondered if more top insulation would be better so I selected 4
> yards at random. All were in two rows. I then placed twice as much
> insultion (R40) on one of the rows.
>
> Yesterday we finished unwrapping and here are the results.
>
> Yard Position Fall weak on opening Alive % loss
> Thereux N* 24 2 19 20.8
> S 16 3 26 0
> Total 40 5 35 12.5
>
> Slough E 20 2 17 15
> W* 16 5 13 18.8
> Total 36 7 30 16.7
>
> Sakiew E* 20 4 8 60
> W 18 5 11 38.9
> Total 38 9 19 50
>
> Schafer N* 20 6 12 40
> S 24 3 20 16.7
> Total 44 9 32 27.3
>
> * - those with double insulation
>
> I am amazed at the results. My conclusion is that less insulation is
> better. If that is the case would no insulation be the best? Perhaps I
> should look into making some wire mesh boxes and winter in those?
>
> You should be aware that this was a carefully controlled experiement with
> all hives matched according to strength, feed, age of queen, pollen
> supplies, exposure to wind, exposure to mice and skunks, colour of box,
> size of entrance, time of day, colour of the sky and everything else I
> can think of. P.S. If you believe this send me a cheque and I will sell
> you a bridge.
>
> The random method selection was used. I simply selected one side and
> doubled up the insulation. Perhaps I picked the wrong side.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Eric Abell email: [log in to unmask]
> Gibbons, AB, T0A 1N0
> Canada
> (403) 998 3143
>
Eric...
Do you think the moisture levels in the hive may be the problem? Two of
the hives we lost this winter appeared to be extremely wet.
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Keith Murray * Don't worry about people stealing
St.Mary's Academy * an idea. If it's original, you
550 Wellington cres. * will have to ram it down their
Winnipeg, Manitoba * throats. -H. Aiken
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