Hi Ian & All,

>Why would the wrapped colony not rearrange the stores during the
>warm periods?
>

They would but not all the honey would be rearranged and if the next cold
period last to long they will be left away from the rest of the available
honey stores.

>My point was that insulated colonies can withstand the cold long
>weather better.  They hold a losser cluster, covering more surface
>space in the colony.
>

And eat more stores in the process, and can run out of stores before winters
end. I beleive Tom Elliot concluded that is what happened to him last winter
with one of his colonies he keeps.

My point is that both ways will work but they will use more stores when
insulated. Another point I made is Strain of bees used and quality of stores
is the key to wintering successfully.
   . ..
c(((([
Keith Malone
Chugiak, Alaska USA
Caucasian Bee Keeper
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Check out current weather in my area and 5 day forecast;
http://www.wx.com/myweather.cfm?ZIP=99654

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