James Fischer  wrote
> So you tested UNWRAPPED "styrofoam" hives against wrapped
> wooden hives?
> And you did not add any sort of upper entrance to the
> styrofoam hives?
> Isn't this sort of like having a "who can dive the deepest"
> contest where one contestant is given a wetsuit and a tank
> of air?

Liwing in Finland is often quite like  "Ice Station Zebra" . My bees are almost always 6 months witout any chance for flight. Last winter they stayed in hives about 7 months.  25.9 - 15.4 Coldest month averaged about  - 15 with coldest week averaging - 25 C. Bees looked wery happy when the first cleansing flight day come  .....

I have experience of wintering with styrofoam hives since 1986. We don't ever use upper enrances or wrappings in the hives. The ventilation works through the screen on the floor. Water from metabolism condensates on the walls, runs to the floor and out it goes throuhg the screen. On winter you can see icicles hanging from the screen. If you bother to dig so deep in the snow that you get the see it.

I haven't noticed much differences in wintering compared to  wooden insulated hives. But here wooden hives mean double walls with 3 - 4 cm of insulation between them. These hives are heavy and cost at the moment about 2,5 times the styrofoam price, which is about 10 euro without tax. That's why almost all new equipment is now styrofoam. Most commercial beekeepers have only styrofoam hives.

The wooden hives are traditionally wrapped with thin tar paper, but they are always without upper entrances. The top of the hive has an inner cover which allows the moisture to pass through during the winter. Wood fiber board with a hole about 10 cm * 10 cm.  +  10 cm of insulation  on top of that. No plastic sheets on top !


Ari Seppälä   MMM
Projektipäällikkö  Project Manager
Suomen Mehiläishoitajain Liitto r.y.
Finnish Beekeepers' Association
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www.hunaja.net

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