A different point of view about ventilation, humidity levels, the need for winter clusters and how modern beekeeping in thin boxes may be putting bees into a winter survival mode not required in a natural tree colony. 

Abstract (see the original for more detail) 

>In the absence of human intervention, the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) usually constructs its nest in a tree within a tall, narrow, thick-walled cavity high >above the ground; however, most research and apiculture is conducted in the thin-walled, squat wooden enclosures we know as hives. This experimental >research, using various hives and thermal models of trees, has found that the heat transfer rate is approximately four to seven times greater in the hives >in common use, compared to a typical tree enclosure in winter configuration. 

>This result for tree enclosures implies higher levels of humidity in the nest, increased survival of smaller colonies and lower Varroa destructor breeding >success. Many honeybee behaviors previously thought to be intrinsic may only be a coping mechanism for human intervention, for example, clustering in a >tree enclosure may be an optional, rare, heat conservation behavior for established colonies, rather than the compulsory, frequent, life-saving behavior >that is in the hives in common use. The implied improved survival in hives with thermal properties of tree nests may help to solve some of the problems >honeybees are currently facing in apiculture.



Ratios of colony mass to thermal conductance of tree and man-made nest enclosures of Apis mellifera: implications for survival, clustering, humidity regulation and Varroa destructor.

Mitchell D  PubMed 2016




Bill Hesbach
Northeast USA

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