Hi Ian & All,

> You don't see any need to use darker abrorbition material.  Your packs
> are reflective, I think soloar radiation is important.
>

I think that for regions that have long cold winters it would be best to
keep the bees on the cool side and not heat up the hive much at all. I think
the bees should become active as the ambient temperature rises. Reflectix
only insulates a little compared to other thicker materials and reflects
heat in side the hive and reflects to suns rays from cooking the outer wall
of the hive possibly overheating the inside of the hive when it should
probably remain cooler.

Like I said though, I am not wrapping the hives this winter because with
recent observations I do not think the hives need wrapping. I could be wrong
but this winter will tell for sure because we are right now having a normal
Alaska winter that is snowy and cold. I will tell all how the bees make it
through the winter come this spring. The hives have not been feed since the
spring 2002, they have never had any form of treatments and have presently
not been wrapped but do have 1/2 inch urethane board above the inner cover.
   . ..
c(((([
Keith Malone
Chugiak, Alaska USA
Caucasian Bee Keeper
http://takeoff.to/alaskahoney

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