On Thu, 4 May 1995, Eric Abell wrote:
 
> There appear to be not only a great many beekeepers on this list but a
> log of beekeepers with a great deal of knowledge so I am going to share
> some science :) with you.
>
> I am in Northern Alberta, Canada with winter temeperatures reaching -40
> deg. C.  All of my colonies are 4 to a pallet facing East and West.  My
> practice is to wrap for winter with R20 insulation on top and R12
> insulation on the sides.
>
> I have wondered if more top insulation would be better so I selected 4
> yards at random.  All were in two rows.  I then placed twice as much
> insultion (R40) on one of the rows.
>
> Yesterday we finished unwrapping and here are the results.
>
> Yard    Position        Fall    weak on opening Alive   % loss
> Thereux         N*      24              2       19      20.8
>                 S       16              3       26      0
>         Total           40              5       35      12.5
>
> Slough          E       20              2       17      15
>                 W*      16              5       13      18.8
>         Total           36              7       30      16.7
>
> Sakiew          E*      20              4       8       60
>                 W       18              5       11      38.9
>         Total           38              9       19      50
>
> Schafer         N*      20              6       12      40
>                 S       24              3       20      16.7
>         Total           44              9       32      27.3
>
>      * - those with double insulation
>
> I am amazed at the results.  My conclusion is that less insulation is
> better.  If that is the case would no insulation be the best?  Perhaps I
> should look into making some wire mesh boxes and winter in those?
>
> You should be aware that this was a carefully controlled experiement with
> all hives matched according to strength, feed, age of queen, pollen
> supplies, exposure to wind, exposure to mice and skunks, colour of box,
> size of entrance, time of day, colour of the sky and everything else I
> can think of.  P.S. If you believe this send me a cheque and I will sell
> you a bridge.
>
> The random method selection was used.  I simply selected one side and
> doubled up the insulation.  Perhaps I picked the wrong side.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Eric Abell                           email: [log in to unmask]
> Gibbons, AB, T0A 1N0
> Canada
> (403) 998 3143
>
Eric...
 
Do you think the moisture levels in the hive may be the problem?  Two of
the hives we lost this winter appeared to be extremely wet.
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Keith Murray                    *       Don't worry about people stealing
St.Mary's Academy               *       an idea.  If it's original, you
550 Wellington cres.    *       will have to ram it down their
Winnipeg, Manitoba              *       throats.     -H. Aiken
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