On 27 Mar 97 at 19:39, bartlett wrote: No lost bees
 
> For you people that say you had a good overwintering with your bees,
> how about coming back and telling the rest of us what you did that
> worked for you to get your bees through the winter.  Let's see if we
> can find some common threads.
 
For me the answer is fairly simple! Since I introduced ventilation to our
hives we haven't lost one in the winter. I believe in the old adage 'bees
don't freeze to death, dampness and starvation are the killers'. In 1883
Langstroth and Doolittle were discussing the merits of winter ventilation,
so it's not a new idea.
         For those who who want a dissertation on ventilation, I would suggest a
visit to our Home Page!
        Other areas we concentrate on. Fall feeding, don't be cheap, syrup is
cheaper than replacement.
        We re-queen every two years, regardless. Unless it's a breeder queen of
distinction.
        Wrap only with black tar paper. The use of plastic of any sort is
strictly 'Taboo', as it prevents the hive from breathing.
        Finally pick an area that doesn't have mites.  ;-))   Perhaps when they
come to our area, we might not be so lucky!
 
 
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The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive Unit 2, Orillia,
Ontario, Canada. L3V 6H1
David Eyre, Owner. Phone/Fax 705 326 7171
Dealers for E.H.Thorne & B.J.Sherriff UK
http://www.muskoka.net/~beeworks
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