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Subject:
From:
Jean-Pierre Chapleau <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 12 Dec 1995 10:34:40 -0500
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I doubt that the quality  of air could be a problem in outdoor wintering
even without a top hole.  I think the rationale for a top entrance is...
 
1 -  to allow the moisture to evacuate the hive
2 -  to allow the bees to fly on mild days when the hives are half covered
with snow
 
I would like to bring the discussion on the issue of HUMIDITY in the hive
during the winter.
 
The first question is how bad is humidity for the bees?  I know it has a bad
effect on the stores, combs and wooden hive parts.  But how bad is the
effect on the bees themselves?
 
If we recognize that the interior of the hive should be kept dry, are there
alternate ways to so other that  the conventional 1 cm x  6 cm top hole.
Personally I would be reluctant to eliminate it completely and lose the
alternate bee entrance.  Could we make this top hole smaller in order to
keep more heat?  Could we invent some design that would minimise the loss of
heat?
 
What is the source of this moisture?  It probably origins essentially from
the differential of temperature between the interior and the exterior of the
hive, the walls and roof acting as condensation surfaces.
 
 On that regard, more insulation around and on top of the hive would reduce
condensation.  Grouping the hives  would also help.  The top is probably the
most important surface to keep warm.  Hive materials also play an important
role.  I am convince that styrofoam hives as our Swedish friend uses  would
be fantastic.  I have used styrofoam mating nucs and I really enjoyed them.
Styrofoam surfaces would stay much warmer than wood surfaces and not allow
as much for condensation.  But they are too costly for my budget and they
are not available in Canada.
 
Another old approach that could be looked at is the "moisture catcher" at
the top of the hive.  Wood shavings and straw have been used quite
extensively in the past and have almost disappeared, probably to the benefit
of newer materials easier to handle.  Should we go back to using them?
Would there be easier to use modern materials that would have similar
absorbing properties?  A hobbyist in my area found that when he wraps his
hives with the top feeders still on, the interior of the hive remains dry,
even in the absence of a top entrance!  The condensation from the top drops
in the feeder itself, not on the frames and cluster.
 
I have noticed that the top entrance by itself does not do a perfect job as
far as evacuating the moisture.  (Even with 3 inches of styrofoam as top
insulation.)  Abundant ice on the bottom board is certainly an indicator.  I
have noticed the same with strong hives packed by group of 4 in the Canadian
Prairies (with the same type of top insulation).
 
Should we look for a combination of top hole and moisture absorbent?  Should
we reduce or redesign the top entrance?  I think a scientific approach to
this question would be helpful.   Room for an interesting research on both
the effect of moisture in the overwintering colony and ways to control it,
unless somebody knows about such researches that would have been done in the
past.
 
 
Jean-Pierre Chapleau
eleveur de reines / queen breeder
vice-president du Conseil canadien du miel / Vice-president of the Canadian
Honey Council
1282, rang 8, Saint-Adrien de Ham, Quebec, Canada, J0A 1C0
tel./phone (819) 828-3396; fax (819) 828-0357
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