Lloyd Spear wrote:>Ted, unless you are in the Upper Peninsula, our winters in
Albany, NY are similar to >your own. Much more severe than Maryland. This past
year I learned that the most >successful commercial beekeeper in the area puts
his strips in during February!  This >lets him use fewer strips and lets him
get the supers on early.  I intend to do the same >this year.
 
Yes, our winters are very similar to yours, but probably with somewhat less
snow.  The idea of putting in strips in winter is interesting because of
freely accessing the mites during the broodless period.   I would have thought
it would only be practical in warmer climates, however.  In February or March
here, the cluster cover is quite dense, hiding brace comb and other
obstructions.  I would think that the colony would have to be open too long in
the cold in order to find a good spot to insert the strips properly.
 
On the other hand, February seems to be too late in winter to get the
broodless period.  Why not do it in December, as I think has been suggested?
If one were to wait until February I would think it would be better to wait
longer for warmer weather.
 
Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA