>>Last winter I lost almost all of my hives by letting air flow through
the hives by leaving an opening at the top of the hives as some suggest
here on Bee-L. This winter I had no losses and the weather was similar to
the year before.


Well, I reall doubt you lost your hives due to a top enterence.  Perhaps,
mites, or weak into winter with old bees due to drought conditions?
Compounded problems maybe?  Suggesting that all hives were lost due to a
top enterence is silly, sorry, but I have the best sucess with top
enterence, and I winter my hives in Manitoba Canada winters. Cold long and
harsh.  I am one of those who believe strongly in upper enterences, and
will argue there benifet.  There is more to wintering than just where you
locate your enterences.  Perhaps your result the next year had little to do
with the enternce location, but more on the fresh stocked hives going into
winter.

Ian

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