Insulation in hives

[Erichalfbee]

Here is one that does...http://alaskahoneybee.com/dev/alaska-winter-bees/about-me/

Thanks for that, HM. A very interesting article on a number of points

 

[Finman]

The Alaska current keeps the coastal strip of Alaska warm. (relatively)
https://www.britannica.com/place/Alaska-Current[/URL]

It seems that you have not used to read vegetation maps, what it tells about climate.

If you look latitudes, Glascow is at 55 degree latitude

In Europe map
yellow is tundra.

 

[Finman]

Here is one that does...http://alaskahoneybee.com/dev/alaska-winter-bees/about-me/

His home place is at same latitude as I have, 60 degree

 

[Finman]

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Difference between Finnish and Alaska beekeeping

Finland.. all brood boxes insulated ...........Alaska, thin wooden boxes like in south

Feeding
http://alaskahoneybee.com/dev/alaska-winter-bees/wintering-keys/

"Tom Elliott starts feeding about 100 lbs of sugar as soon as he pulls the honey. He winters outside in three boxes. The top two are full of sugar and the bottom one is full of brood by the time winter arrives.

<Excellent stratagy, But then Tom is a very knowledgable beekeeper>

Steve V feeds but not heavily in August the queen will still lay eggs. In Sept, he feeds heavily two gallons a day to have a hive weight good for winter."

Finland:
Wintering mainly in one brood box and winter food store 20 kg sugar/hive.

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.

 

[Hivemaker.]

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Difference between Finnish and Alaska beekeeping

Finland warmed by gulf stream.

Alaska not warmed by gulf stream.

 

[GaryB]

Wasn't aware that the Gulf Stream made its way up the Baltic Sea! Clever current.

 

[Finman]

.

 

[Finman]

Wasn't aware that the Gulf Stream made its way up the Baltic Sea! Clever current.

It does not. Baltic sea does not have tide phenomenom.
Salt content in front of Helsinki is 0.5%
.

 

[GaryB]

So it's the Norwegian arm of the Gulf Stream that affects you climate.

 

[Finman]

So it's the Norwegian arm of the Gulf Stream that affects you climate.

Yes.

Actually most of weather fronts come from Atlantinc via Britain, then over Denmark and South Sweden.

Typical situation After two days the British rain is over Finland

 

[Finman]

Finland warmed by gulf stream.

Alaska not warmed by gulf stream.

That promises good to Iceland beekeeping
.
Human population of Alaska is 0.7 million people tells that it is not so nice place to live to mammals. But Alaska has 64 salmon rivers.

Capital city of Anchorage has 0.3 million people. Helsinki district has 1.2 million

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[user 6228]

but in the coastal strip if there is good forage in summer for bees, then bee can overwinter.if the nest has a low enough conductance.

 

[Finman]

but in the coastal strip if there is good forage in summer for bees, then bee can overwinter.if the nest has a low enough conductance.

If you read closer, there are no good places on coast. Sea stream is cold, +4C in summer. Sea is very cold. You see it from vegetation.

 

[Finman]

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What we learn from Alaska example, European wintering is based on insulation In America it is based on huge food storage.

Insulated brood box has such advantage that it helps brood build up.
It is 36C in brood owen, and spring nights are often under zero C.

And most clearly you see build up in nuc rearing and in mating nucs when you use poly nuc.
.

 

[Fusion_power]

It is 36C in brood owen

Baked bees?

 

[Finman]

Baked bees?

Sure. You can bake in 36C. 3 weeks you know.

 

[bjosephd]

Better not bugger the lot up by cladding the whole thing in celotex then........................

Can't work out what tone of voice you're using. Haha.

Are you pro celotex, or anti?

I'm currently in the process of making up new celotex outers/lifts/cosies for my colonies.

50mm sides and 100mm tops.

Will at least give them 'hats' if not have
Celotex all the way to the floor (aside from entrance obviously!)

1 hive = solid floor (double bb)
1 hive = solid floor underfloor entrance double bb)
1 hive = open mesh (single bb)
All langstroth.


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[jenkinsbrynmair]

Can't work out what tone of voice you're using. Haha.

Are you pro celotex, or anti?

No objection to a 50mm slab glued under the roof, but this whole hive cozy mullarkey is ridiculous overkill IMPO

 

[bjosephd]

No objection to a 50mm slab glued under the roof, but this whole hive cozy mullarkey is ridiculous overkill IMPO

Haha fair enough. Last year I just had a spare box on top with celotex jammed snug inside. But as long as a cosy of sorts is not damaging then I'm happy to 'overkill' as it's fun cutting Nd making things from celotex while there's not much other bee stuff I can be doing other than spending even more money already on NEXT season. Ha.

If i had any more hives though I doubt I'd bother to such a degree.


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[bjosephd]

Same here, and I use solid floors, but again, the same as Dani mentions, they are not sealed in the box, so no damp problems at all.

Hey HM, what do you mean by 'not sealed'?

I have solid floors and, as far as I can tell, the bees totally seal up everything they can apart from the entrance... they glue up all the joins between boxes and even totally glue down the piece of slate I have covering up the hole in the crown board.

I would call that 'sealed' no? Or do you mean wrapping all the joins in aluminium tape when you mean 'sealed'?! Haha



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