Hello All

Nancy Dalrymple asks about solar power to assist bees to get through winter.
This is not to be recommended although it may appear attractive at first
sight.

The problem caused by any type of artificial heating in a hive is, that it
disrupts the bees' perception of conditions outside, and it could thus
result in the bees leaving the hive when the temperatures outside were too
low to enable  them to return , with disastrous consequences for them.

The best course of action to give maximum chance of overwintering bees are:

Have a young queen.
Have disease free bees.
Have well fed bees.
Have a sound weather proof and well ventilated hive proofed against rodents,
woodpeckers, bears etc.
Do not disturb the bees until the onset of spring.

Sincerely

Tom Barrett
49 South Park, Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940

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