Keith wrote:
>I am not wrapping the hives this winter because with recent observations I
do not think the hives need wrapping.

Last spring my most robust overwintered hive was one that was insulated
with an inch of styrofoam and wrapped in tar paper. The top was insulated
with 6-7 inches of crushed peanut shells of all things. The hive was split
in late spring.

My most productive hive at summer’s end was one that had overwintered
unwrapped and on an open screened bottom board.

Other hives were either insulated or not. While I didn’t keep records, it
seems as though there was not much difference in either in strength or
production and some colony losses.

The one 4.9 hive I own overwintered last year unwrapped on an open screened
bottom and was not treated with anything. This summer there seemed to be
only a few mites in the hive although some chalkbrood had appeared as it
did in some other colonies of mine. It is being overwintered again
unwrapped and untreated.

As you said Keith, looks as though we might actually have a winter here in
Alaska this year (and some cross-country skiing!). Some of my hives are
insulated. Some are not. We’ll see what the spring brings.

Regards,
Dick Allen

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