How hot?

[bjosephd]

I currently have a brood box on top of my crown board as it was there as a spacer for a feeder.

I was thinking of leaving it there as an insulating air space as the metal roof cover during the day get gets seriously HOT in the direct sunlight and I feel I would be cooking bees in a box if I dropped the roof directly down onto the crown board.

Or how hot can the hive/roof safely get in the sun? Am I actually stopping the hive getting warm early in the day and delaying the girls getting up and getting to work.

Last thing I want is to drop the roof down a level and end up with a box of oven cooked dead bees!

I kind of feel the air cavity between roof and crown board will help the bees keep the live at a consistent temperature...?

Thoughts
Thanks!

 

[BeeJayBee]

Put some insulation between the crown board and the roof then they won't need to warm up in the morning, and won't need to cool down during the day.

 

[wessexmario]

I wouldn't worry too much about cooking bees, as they'll sort themselves out and let you know they're too hot by bearding on the outside of the hive.

...and since when have we had that hot a summer?
many countries have just had the coldest May for many years.

ps. if you have two layers on a hive roof just as on a house roof you shouldn't have a problem, a waterproof layer, and an insulating layer.

 

[Dishmop]

Paint it white.

 

[bjosephd]

Cool, thanks...

Yeah I know our summers aren't crazy hot, but yikes, those metal roofs on the hives in midday sun, you could cook a steak on!

I think I have wireless outdoor thermometer somewhere actually... while I still have the spare BB on top I might bung it in to see how high it gets.

And I won't get too worried until I see a beard.

Cheers all

 

[REDWOOD]

BJB has it right, insulate all year

 

[Erichalfbee]

Put some insulation between the crown board and the roof then they won't need to warm up in the morning, and won't need to cool down during the day.

That's the way to go..
I have 5cm PIR in my roofs all year