-----Original Message-----
From: Paolo Bentivoglio <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 1998 5:24 PM
Subject: wintering
 
 
>I am a new beekeeper in west central New Hampshire who has been reading
with
>great interest the debate on wintering bees with or without insulation.  A
>local old timer has recommended to me a winter box filled with three inches
of
>wood shavings around the hive.  I would love to hear of others experiences
>Thank you
>Paolo Bentivoglio
>
 
I have about 70 colonies about 45 minutes north of Philadelphia and I've
been keeping bees since 1985 in this area and never once wrapped my hives.
and I picked up 40 or so hives 2 years ago that were in bad shape the bees
were fine but the boxes were at least 30 years old , holes all over the
place. some fairly large and today some are still like that and I have not
lost any in the winter due to them being cold. God has created a Fine insect
:)  as long as they have enough honey to last,and some ventilation they'll
do just fine. now I know that if I was a hobbyist and only had 1-5 colonies
I probably would wrap them just for the enjoyment of taking care of the
ladies. as long as the wrapping did not cut off all the vents needed to
remove any condensed moisture that may collect in the hive.
 
you decide, they will fair either way    :)
 
enjoy your day.
 
Andrew