Keith Malone wrote this:

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

To which Ian responded with this:

>You are telling me that you are finding better results by not wrapping? My
own opinion, is I don't beleive it to be true.

Many believe the entire state of Alaska to be a vast sheet of ice and
wonder that bees can even be kept here. Alaska is a vast region. It does
get COLD, VERY COLD in the interior of the state. In the south-central
region that Keith lives in it often is warmer through winter than Canada
and northern areas of the lower 48 U.S. states.  Interior Alaska residents
sometimes jokingly refer to the south-central region of the state as ‘the
banana belt’.

Most people, to my knowledge, who have bees here don't overwinter, choosing
instead to buy new packages each spring. Those in this area that do
overwinter, or attempt to, generally do wrap their hives. I agree with
Keith, though, in that I'm not convinced it is necessary in this region of
Alaska.

Regards,
Dick Allen

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