Condensation in abelo

[Cuckmere couple]

Opened 2-3 Abelo hives today and a fair amount of condensation running from super as I removed it

I had the white solid blocks in the roof holes and the crown board covers on

Presume I need to remove solid blocks in roof and replace with the black vented wedges and remove the circular cover leaving the vent in place?

Do others find this and respond in similar way?

Thanks I’m advance

 

[Swarm]

A piece of ply sounds much simpler.

 

[XYZ]

Not noticed any condensation in my Abelo hives but I have replaced the crown boards with framed clear crown boards.

 

[Courty]

I’ve found condensation in the plastic runners when in storage, but not in active hives. I don’t use the plastic grills for ventilation.

Courty

 

[user 6228]

Why assume condensation is bad news. This is a source of "WARM" water for the bees in poly hive. Honey bees travel distances to fetch warm water in spring so why make it more difficult for them.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks all

reason i thought it may not be great is honey is hygroscopic and bees are trying to lose water content and therefore not wanting it reabsorbed

 

[Ian123]

Opened 2-3 Abelo hives today and a fair amount of condensation running from super as I removed it

I had the white solid blocks in the roof holes and the crown board covers on

Presume I need to remove solid blocks in roof and replace with the black vented wedges and remove the circular cover leaving the vent in place?

Do others find this and respond in similar way?

Thanks I’m advance

New or old 1s with the new roof just wondering? I was in the hives yesterday a bit chilly but had some nucs to make up, I found some water had got in a couple after the heavy rain the other day. Not abelo just to add.

 

[Madge]

thanks all

reason i thought it may not be great is honey is hygroscopic and bees are trying to lose water content and therefore not wanting it reabsorbed

The condensation will only be on the walls where it is coldest. I don’t think it will affect the honey or hamper the bees’ efforts to reduce the water content.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

new design abelo

took crown board and super off and both feet got wet...30-50ml id say

 

[Ian123]

Wasn’t there another post about water getting into or around the roof rebates a short while ago?

 

[Fusion_power]

I don't know how it affects bees on that side of the pond, but over here, that much water would either kill a colony or stress them so much they would not make a crop of honey. Cold does not kill bees normally, but cold and wet does.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

Wasn’t there another post about water getting into or around the roof rebates a short while ago?

that may be where it collected

will check back, thanks

 

[Poly Hive]

In all the years I have been running poly I have never encountered condensation in a poly hive. I would be looking for a leak personally. I am thinking rain water.

PH

 

[Karsal]

Why assume condensation is bad news. This is a source of "WARM" water for the bees in poly hive. Honey bees travel distances to fetch warm water in spring so why make it more difficult for them.

 

[Ian123]

I will say straight off I don’t have any abelo poly. But would wonder with the new roof design if heavy or driving rain may work it’s way around the rebate as it sits on the box/crown board below I would stress again I’ve only seen pictures, I don’t think the roof itself covers the joints. Anyway just a thought, maybe a case of over design!

 

[Cuckmere couple]

ok

i'll watch closer next inspection and report back

ive now added the vented blocks in the roof openings

 

[pargyle]

ok

i'll watch closer next inspection and report back

ive now added the vented blocks in the roof openings

Cover them up .. they don't need ventilation. Put an empty super on top of the cover board and 50mm of Kingspan/Celotex in there, if it is condensation (and I doubt that it is) it will disappear.

No hives need top ventilation - ever !!

You will be putting matchsticks under the crownboard next. I thought the practice of top ventilation has been killed on here ...

 

[Poly Hive]

I thought the same. *sighs*

PH

 

[Antipodes]

Cuckmere Couple....I'm wondering if the hives are perhaps a little too big for the size of the colonies in them? I notice much more condensation in hives where that is the case. A more "full" hive seems to be able to get the moisture out much more successfully.
I haven't noticed any improvement in excessive condensation with extra upper ventilation.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks folk

ill go back and put the solid blocks in

Anti....i dont think so...the frames are tight in an abelo (11) and theyre on about 14 frames bia now