> According to my experience colonies need warm upper cover. I would guess > for northern conditions as much as 5 - (8?) cm of styrofoam or similar > material would be needed. This is substantial help for colonies during > wintering (and in any time in the year). Small colonies need also warm > walls. During the winter two entrances are good together with the vertical > orientation of the hive space. Stores should be mostly above the upper > entrance. Bees must have enough time to addopt themselves to this > arrangment (from august). > Best regards, > Vladimir Ptacek > [log in to unmask] phone: .42/5/41129 562 > Fac. Sci., Dpt. Anim. Physiol. fax: .42/5/41211 214 > Masaryk University. > 611 37 Brno, Czech Republ. > I enjoyed your comments. Would you please expand on your statement about the stores being mostly above the upper entrance. I have always provided an upper entrance at the top of the hive. My feeling is that the moisture must be removed and I have wondered if I am losing too much heat. Perhaps there is someone who has done some work with upper entrances at various levels who could comment on this. Eric Abell email: [log in to unmask] Gibbons, AB, T0A 1N0 Canada (403) 998 3143