>
> Thanks Paul,


Could you please confirm the variables? As I read your description, there
were two variables, compared to your "normal" controls--top insulation, or
top insulation plus tarpaper.  Correct?

And the difference in the ventilation variables was a 1/2" x 1/2" opening
at the top of the top-insulated hives, vs. a full-width 1/4" shimmed
opening above an inner cover hole in the uninsulated control hives.
Correct?



> I put 1" Styrofoam sheets with a 1/2 X 1/2" groove routed in from the
> center to front edge to give some ventilation assuming that no ventilation
> would definitely be detrimental, on 50 colonys.  I did the same on another
> 50 with the addition of a 15# construction felt wrap. Survival was not
> different from normal. Normal for me is double deeps with 20 frames, solid
> bottom, inner and telescoping lid. Bottom entrance reduced to 3/8 X 8" and
> a 1/4" shim at the rear of the telescoping lid. All equipment tight and in
> good repair, no other ventilation. Hives on stands 12" off the ground
> tilted forward somewhat. The only loss was queen issues and 1 case of bad
> dysentery. If there was a decrease in stores consumption I did not notice
> it.
>
> The down side was dramatically increased mold on the otter frames and
> boxes of the insulated hives, to me indicating insufficient ventilation.


Did you happen to notice whether that mold was mainly in the upper boxes,
or the lower boxes?

Another question--during your cold winter, does the condensation within the
uninsulated hives typically freeze?

Thanks!

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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