This is my second season beekeeping. Last winter I wrapped the hive in tar paper, put on a mouse-guard and laid some insulation over the inner cover (opening left open) with an empty super on top covered with the telescoping lid. All was fine - bees came through gangbusters. But it was a weirdly mild winter so I don't think it was typical at all.
some insulation do npt say what and how much.
Top cover must have bset insulation that it does not form ?
- 2 inch polystyrene is good.
- not hole open which move the moisture, - not out, but to the lofft.
- no extra box needed
I cut 4 sheets of 1/2-inch rigid foam insulation and basically made a box around the hive, securing the corners with duct tape. I slid a sheet of the same insulation in underneath the screened bottom board
It is better use one inch when youi do this job.
the insulation boar under the hive is good.
The floor chould be in slanting postition that water drills out. Moisture forms ice inside and when it melts, it is better to come out.
There should be upper entrance open in front wall that söight air movement move the moisture out. 15 mm hole diameter is enough.
I'm leaving the third box on top to contain the insulation and provide some ventilation space for moisture to escape.
That is a wrong technigue to move moisture from hive
I also put on the mouse guard and reduced the front opening. I don't think the snow will get deep enough in the front of the hive to block the entrance - it's on a stand on a hill and the wind generally blows from the other direction. But obviously I'll check the hive if we get a big dump of snow.
. I'm in central Ontario - our winters get cold (-25 C isn't uncommon).
We have such weathers.
Open wind is not good to bees. When permanent snow falls down I put a blanket tent =geotextile over the hive. It protects from wind, snow and birds.
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