> PLB wrote: "Some years better insulated hives will excel, other years
>  hives exposed to temperature changes will do better."


Insightful and true.  What beekeepers often miss is the potential freak 
transient conditions that kill and weaken wintering hives, and sometimes 
whole yards without leaving obvious clues.

These events, such as a hive being blown full of drifting snow are very 
likley to be missed by a beekeeper, who, arriving some time later may 
see that the hive is soaking wet inside (after the snow melts) and 
conclude that more ventilation and more wind exposure is needed -- not 
less ventilation and better wind protection.

Good wintering preparation has to anticipate flooding, drifting, ice 
storms, pests like mice and shrews and more...

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html