1/2" hives?

[viridens]

Springtime is here and I need to build some more Warres and another trough hive too. I already have enough timber and sheet materials here to do the job, but it is all 1/2" thickness. My existing boxes are either the recommended 3/4" or 1", -sturdy but also heavy!

I am in Somerset where the winters are usually not too bad. I would guess that thinner hives would probably mean higher winter stores consumption, and possibly increased risk of loss? But having said that, I know of feral colonies which have been successful for years in plastic compost bins and old dustbins.

I would be grateful for any comments, and particularly any Uk experience of keeping colonies in thin-walled hives.

(Note. Question also posted elsewhere.)

 

[enrico]

I really don't think it will make a huge difference. The bees will cope with most things you throw at them. Yes, they may use extra stores but hey.., depends on the weather really. It is much milder here in Somerset as you say, I moved from Shropshire and I can't get over how much more active my bees are!
E

 

[Finman]

.
1/2" is very thin wall. What is the idea in it. Cold boxes however. 12 mm. Difficult to find so thin board.
22 x 100 mm is an usual measure.

 

[madasafish]

I made a warre out of pallet wood. It was badly made (goes without saying for me), warped wood and 1/2inch thick wood in parts.

The bees survived a winter here.. (insulated rood and lots of stores.) Note survived: not many left by spring... but they grew and were ported across to a Lang..

 

[Ian123]

Finsky he’s using ply I don’t think there will be a huge difference between 12 to 18mm I had some 12mm boxes come as a job lot and overwinter wintered in a few before. I would ensure it’s a decent quality though wbp at least and properly coat end grain