To insulate or not, that is the question . . .

>Most people in Alaska who do overwinter or attempt to do wrap their hives.
>
I don't think there are beekeepers who are not aware of the ability of
the honeybee to keep warm in extreme cold temperatures.   Lots of
experience, and studies, have shown this.   But, the caveat is "as long
as honey is available to the cluster."   When your ambient temperature
is below freezing for months at a time, and the sun is below the trees
for months at a time, it makes sense to provide a little help.   It has
to be warm enough as the outside temperature rises to allow food to be
moved to the cluster, or for the cluster to move.   No matter how
adapted your bees are, if they run out of honey and can get no more,
they will die.   Period.   Here in Alaska, in my long experience with
only a few hives, bees will move to the top of the hive when brood
rearing ends in the fall.   They will not move down again and will
starve with a full box of honey immediately below them.   This will not
surprise anyone, I am sure.   In my insulated colonies bees do not form
a cluster at outdoor temperature of 10 degrees F.   I will continue to
insulate.

Tom Elliott
Chugiak, AK

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