Dave Green wrote:
>1.  Almost all empty comb should now be removed from ABOVE the cluster.
> Empty space is a heavy drain on the bees, as they have to heat this space.
> This increases honey consumption and winter losses.  Any supers left on the
>hives should be mostly full of honey or syrup. Full supers act as a heat
bank
>for the bees. They have to keep it warm, but it also helps keep them warm.
 
         Bees make a winter cluster on the combs.   The cluster is heated
with heat from bees in the center which consume honey.  The cluster is
insulated by the surrounding bees.
         Bees only heat their cluster.  Heat escaping from the cluster
carries carbon dioxide and water vapor away.
         Doesn't this system allow the bees to live in tall cavities in
hollow trees and in tall stacks of supers?
Tim
Tim Sterrett
Westtown, (Southeastern) Pennsylvania, USA
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