On Tue, 17 Oct 1995, Kelley Rosenlund wrote:
 
> I live in North Central Florida and am not sure if I need entrance reducers
> this winter.
> One beekeeper friend (700 hives) does not and another (600 hives) says it's
> a must & he leaves only a three inch by 3/8 inch high opening.
>
> What do y'all do?
 
In our cool damp winter climate I always use reducers and top
ventilation via 1" holes in each corner of the inner cover.
 
I now close the entrances down when the wasps (yellowjackets)
start to be a nuisance and only open them again when the weather
starts to get hot. If I have _real_ trouble with wasps I now
sometimes close to 1"x3/8" to give the bees a better chance to
defend.
 
Of course, I'm in the UK, not Florida ;-)
 
Best regards,
--
Gordon Scott   [log in to unmask]   CompuServe 100332,3310
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               Beekeeper; Kendo 3rd Dan; Sometime sailor.
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