David Eyre wrote:
>
> On 5 Dec 98, at 18:27, Christopher Slade wrote:
>
> > 1. Insulation works both ways. Do those who add insulation to their hives
> > in winter  cover the sunny side as well as the rest?   I have erected windbreaks of plastic greenhouse shading netting but am undecided whether to do more.  Unless
> > convincingly advised otherwise I shall probably drape plastic sacks over
> > the N.E. and W sides and leave the S side with the entrance exposed to the
> > midday sun.
Chris:
        Depending on where you are and how cold it gets, you should be OK with
the above protection. Let's face it it's better than nothing.
>
>         But one point from the above posting, stay away from plastic! It
> doesn't breath and condensation will form on the inside, freeze and
> melt just at the wrong time.
David:
        You might want to clarify the above statement,as pertaining to Eastern
Canada, as out here in Western Canada 90% of all the hives wintered
outdoors are wrapped with one form of plastic or another, ( either
sheet, woven or tube), with no ill effects. We all tried tar paper out
here but it didn't work as well as the plastic
 
 
>         We use  roofing felt or tar paper, one wrap is enough to keep
> out the wet, and on sunny days it will warm the hive interior.
>
> *****************************************
> The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive, Unit 2,
 
 
Tim Townsend