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This open access paper from Saudi Arabia indicates insulated hives are good for honeybee in hot conditions:
Abou-Shaara, H. F., Al-Ghamdi, A. A., & Mohamed, A. A. (2013). Honey bee colonies performance enhance by newly modified beehives. Journal of Apicultural Science, 57(2), 45–57. http://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2013-0016
https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/jas/57/2/article-p45.xml
Abstract
Honey bees have good thermoregulation and rapidly respond to any changes in the
microclimatic conditions of their colonies. However, colony losses can occur during very
cold or hot months. Honey bee colonies are often kept in modified beehives during such
times to save the honey bees lives. In the present study, the abilities of four beehive
types to enhance the performance of two honey bee races (Carniolan and Yemeni honey
bees) were compared under hot and arid environmental conditions. The results indicat-
ed performance differences between the two races and between the selected beehive
types. For the Carniolan honey bees, better results were obtained in colonies provided
with insulated cover boxes (ICB) than in thermoregulatory beehives (TBH), insulated
beehives with a back drawer (IBD), and normal beehives (NB) in that order. In contrast,
better Yemeni honey bee results were obtained in the TBH, followed by ICB, NB, and
finally IBD. Maintaining honey bees in a suitable beehive type is a promising method for
saving honey bees lives and enhancing their performance under harsh environmental
conditions.
Keywords: Apis mellifera, harsh environment, honey bees, modified beehive.
Abou-Shaara, H. F., Al-Ghamdi, A. A., & Mohamed, A. A. (2013). Honey bee colonies performance enhance by newly modified beehives. Journal of Apicultural Science, 57(2), 45–57. http://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2013-0016
https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/jas/57/2/article-p45.xml
Abstract
Honey bees have good thermoregulation and rapidly respond to any changes in the
microclimatic conditions of their colonies. However, colony losses can occur during very
cold or hot months. Honey bee colonies are often kept in modified beehives during such
times to save the honey bees lives. In the present study, the abilities of four beehive
types to enhance the performance of two honey bee races (Carniolan and Yemeni honey
bees) were compared under hot and arid environmental conditions. The results indicat-
ed performance differences between the two races and between the selected beehive
types. For the Carniolan honey bees, better results were obtained in colonies provided
with insulated cover boxes (ICB) than in thermoregulatory beehives (TBH), insulated
beehives with a back drawer (IBD), and normal beehives (NB) in that order. In contrast,
better Yemeni honey bee results were obtained in the TBH, followed by ICB, NB, and
finally IBD. Maintaining honey bees in a suitable beehive type is a promising method for
saving honey bees lives and enhancing their performance under harsh environmental
conditions.
Keywords: Apis mellifera, harsh environment, honey bees, modified beehive.