>I posted a design for an inner cover to handle this problem. Place an
>enpty super on top of the inner cove and fill with insulation. Restrict
>the bottom opening to about 2 inches wide. Duct tape all cracks between
>supers ,etc. Depending on the type of winter such as how long a period of
>cold lasts each week or so , before it warms back up to about freezing.
>The key temp inside the hive is 40 degrees. You may insulate around the
>entire hive. Many things work , styrofoam insulated board sems good for
>now, leave the openings open. The bees will need to raise the humidity in
>the hive when they begin to raise brood again, so try to give themthin
>syrup (more water than sugar) because they need the water. You may only
>get a day ore 2 that the water ont freeze. But if you ues the inner cover
>I posted you can put a feed can in and wrap with inslation and the feed
>will stay liquid a lot longer.
 
Jerry Fries
 
 
 
Dear Bee-listers...
>Well, its that time of year.  And since all my bees died last winter I
>thought I might ask the lists what the best way to insulate their hives
>for the winter, since this may have been my problem.
>What I was planning to do was place an empty super over (or under?) the
>inner cover and fill it with something....maybe straw?....Well.that is
>what I would like to know.  I know they need ventilation during the
>winter to get rid of moisture, and I just popped an outer cover and there
>is already drops of water on the inner cover....
>Any help would be most appreciated..:
>Ian
>
>                     @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
>                    @        Ian Watson           @
>                   @  [log in to unmask]  @
>                  @                                 @
>                 @  THREE BEES:                      @
>                @     Bach singer           ,///      @
>               @      Bee keeper         >8'III}-      @
>                @     Bell ringer          ',\\\      @
>                 @                                   @
>                  @ 4 hives, 2 years in Beekeeping  @
>                   @    St. Catharines, Canada     @
>                    @   "I BEE, therefore I am"   @
>                     @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@