In the November 2003 issue of the ABJ, Glen L. Stanley, Beekeeping
Specialist from Des Moines, Iowa has an article on preparing hives for
overwintering. Concerning ventilation he has this to say:

        "Now, with all else in place, it is time to do the final act that will
conclude your bee work until April. Begin by inserting a middle entrance.
We tried them all, but the best was the one originated by Dr. O. W. Park
at Iowa State University, while he was doing bee research there.

        Acquire two pieces of cedar shingle, about an inch wide and two pieces of
lathe 7 1/2 inches long. Place the shingles along the sides of the lower
brood chamber (using two brood chambers) with the thick end forward. Place
the lathe along the front from each side, so the entrance is in the
middle. All will be glued in place shortly by the bees." (He then goes on
to describe how he closes off the escape hole in the inner cover with
screen or a thin piece of aluminum and places a 3/4 inch piece of
Styrofoam the size to fit the top of the inner cover. The inner cover
"should be made of wood only, Using some type of fiberboard looks like
insulation, but it absorbes moisture and remains wet, freezing and thawing
all winter long, so it is not recommended.")

Again from the article:

        "Dr. Eric Erickson, while doing research at the USDA lab in Madison,
Wisconsin, concluded that if there was a vent under the inner cover
allowing the humidity to escape, the bees simply create more of it, as a
colony requires some humidity, even in cold weather. Such a vent only
caused the moist air to freeze as the bees created more. So make sure the
inner cover is firmly seated on the upper chamber."

  He then describes how he wraps his hives with 15 Lb. felt. He claims
that he has obtained consistent success using his method of winter
preparation.

        I have read on Bee-L and other sources about placing the upper
ventilation entrance on top of the second brood chamber under the inner
cover or by drilling a 5/8 inch hole on one side of the front hand hold of
the upper chamber. Glen Stanley's recommendations seem to have merit also.
I would appreciate comments from those who have experience with using both
at the top of the second chamber and middle (between the two chambers)
methods of providing ventilation.

Jim

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