>Southwick found that bees are almost impossible to kill with cold

We seem to go through this discussion each fall. I agree with Southwick, and Jerry, that it is difficult to kill a well supplied colony with cold. It is easy to kill them with moisture and starvation. A clustering colony heats its self and insulates that heat quite well. See Mangum's thermo images and article in the Dec. ABJ. Nearly all agree that ventilation is key to moisture control in winter. Ventilation by definition is the exchange of air. The most efficient way to achieve this is with a controlled chimney effect in the hive allowing moist relatively warm air to rise and escape. A small opening at the top, in my case a 1/4" shim under the rear of the telescoping lid, and a reduced entrance at the bottom achieve this simply and effectively. In my experience, in a severe winter climate, no other insulation is needed. Putting a lot of complicated insulation around a colony is of little benefit if you need to open a window. The best insulation is frames of honey. The cluster will be able to move and consume the stores and heat its self just fine through the longest and coldest winter.

Paul Hosticka
Dayton WA

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