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Hi Bill
 You wrote ...
>.....use bee therapy for their arthritis. .... question to the list about
anyone's
>experience with keeping hives indoors during the winter.
>Any advice for these good folks?
 
I have done just this with quite good success.  Basement area should be
kept in complete darkness and as unheated as possible (mine was always
above freezing but cool).  I fed with sugar syrup all winter.  I collected
the bees with a bee vacuum I had made that sucked up the bees and deposited
them undamaged into a glass jar.  I kept the hive screened so that bees
would not fly to the flashlight when I entered the room.  However I learn
that bees do not see red light so will be using an old red photography
safelight this winter. You or your colleagues (or anybody) are welcome to
email me directly if you have any questions since many on the list may not
be very interested in this 'sideline'.
 
Good Luck
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