Sender: |
|
Date: |
Sat, 13 Nov 2021 06:07:08 -0800 |
Reply-To: |
|
Message-ID: |
|
Subject: |
|
MIME-Version: |
1.0 |
Content-Transfer-Encoding: |
quoted-printable |
In-Reply-To: |
|
Content-Type: |
text/plain; charset="UTF-8" |
From: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
> "By trying to keep hive interiors “dry,” we may be helping the mites and
stressing the bees!
The article referenced is by John Gaut, and contains some very nice photos
and graphics illustrating the lack of condensation on the lid of a
top-insulated hive, as well as how top vents prevent the formation of a
warm bubble of air around the winter cluster.
But the reference to varroa is a stretch, since mites get little chance to
reproduce during the winter, and the humidity/reproduction data is based
upon only a single (and as far as I'm concerned, very questionable) study
(that clearly needs to be replicated).
Dick's observations about the adaptability of bees is what makes it
difficult to draw conclusions from anecdotal reports. Just as humans can
overwinter in all sorts of cavities, from igloos to straw huts, that
doesn't mean that some designs aren't more thermodynamically efficient. I
don't know of anyone in a cold-winter climate who leaves both a bottom
window and upper window open in their house during cold weather. Try the
experiment yourself! (It's easy to track the resulting air flow with a
little smoke, and you don't even need a thermometer to feel the cold air
being drawn in).
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4450
ScientificBeekeeping.com
>
***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
|
|