[log in to unmask] ++++ 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 [log in to unmask]