This issue was addressed in American Bee Journal a few months ago.  Jerry
Hayes, who writes "The Classroom" column, says that although it is
possible, it is rarely economical to heat a beehive based on the retail
price of honey.
 
He further adds that healthy honey bees provided with adequate honey
stores can withstand the very severe winters in North America.  And if
heat is added, the bees become more active and  eat more honey, among
other things.
 
Wahkon
 
On Mon, 8 Sep 1997 23:25:36 -0500 "Curtis L. Spacek" <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>has anyone ever tried heating hives in severe winter climates?It seems
>to me that 2 or 3 small light bulbs (christmas lights?) behind a
>hardware cloth cover, to keep the bees from getting burnt,would raise
>the temp of the hive sufficiently for the bees to utilize their honey
>stores through out the hive.It probably wouldnt cost more than a
>dollar
>per hive to power the lights all winter.they could be wrapped in foil
>to
>maintain a dark interior.solar battery chargers for remote areas.
>its bound to be cheaper than mail order apiaries!!!
>                          its one of those newbee thoughts that
>happened
>                          while watching the bees, and swelling
>less                      these days.
>                           garth, cant get mail to you still trying
>