>We should follow science then, rather than what old timers say


I'm not sure this is universally exclusive. This thread reminded me immediately of Langsroth's original Hive and the Honeybee, circa 1853. In chapter 8, which is all about overwintering hives in cold climates, the focus is on the effects of excess moisture. His argument is pretty simple: too much moisture trapped within the hive is bad, and varies directly with the metabolic activity occurring within the hive. If the hive is kept cellared at a constant temperature of 50*, the bees remain in a fairly torpid state, barely using stores and therefore generating little heat and humidity by metabolizing stores. If the bees are exposed to wider variations in temperature, then they need to feed in order to maintain consistency in the hive/ball temperatures and will use stores proportionately. High metabolic activity (ie, using the stores) requires that the hive be vented to allow the resulting moisture to escape. The more the hive is vented, the wider the variations in temperature, the more stores you need.


So either insure that hives are kept in a stable environment, or provide adequate stores and ventilation to allow for the required activity. Individual beekeepers can figure out which is more costly for them.


S


Skillman, NJ

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