Jerry,
 
   This is probably a situation where your location is a driving factor.
If you were down south and it was hot, white (or silver?) color would
reflect better, but up north, black or dark would absorb heat better...
(Neat theory, anyway...)
 
   My story was when we drove up to central Wisconson to buy some bee
stuff, to a (bee supply) place surrounded by 20 single/double hives which
were by far the most dilapidated old holey crates of hives I have ever
seen, with or without bees.  These hives were all right out in the middle
of the front yard, in full sun, with no windbreaks or any other
apertenances.  You guessed it:  Each one was just as full of (friendly!)
bees as could be, coming from every hole in them, and there were stacks
of supers on each!
The guy didn't touch them but to add/remove the supers!  (And this was
after the mites came!)
 
   As was stated here, the bees read different books (or have a different
BEE-L?) than we do.  :-)  That's what makes it a horse race, and why I
keep on learning 'bout these buggers...
 
Gerry and the other Visels at
[log in to unmask]
Winnebago, Illinois, USA
 
On Fri, 27 Dec 1996 12:24:07 -0900 Jerry Fries <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>Im not sure exactly what it means but in your reply about paint vs oil
>you
>mentioned most hives are white. Probably so, mine are because it just
>seems
>to fit no other reason.
>>>snip>>>>>>>>
>The point? The camoflaged supers have far out performed
>the
>others in every consitently over the years. The hives with the red
>hearts
>all over and especially over the entrance did well. Oh and my plain
>white
>ones always did worst. My conclusion is that Bees dont care about
>color ,
>they simplylike women and children better than men. But just incase I
>will
>paint my hives earth tones,and camoflage.
>
>Jerry Fries
>