Under or Over?

[MrB]

Mr B. Have a read of this

http://www.norfolkbee.co.uk/beekeepers-resource/winter-preparation

Thanks , and to everyone for their comments!

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Mmmm, each to their own of course.

Exactly. I think the bees survive DESPITE our best efforts to annoy them sometimes!

One way isn't always right. In the absence of real studies people have their own ideas and if it works for them that's fine.

Br Adam did tests that concluded that bees overwinter better in single walled hives. This was done with lots of hives over more than one season. So he did the test and came to a result. Most of us don't have the luxury of having - say - 20 hives we can deal with in one way and another 20 we can use as a control and then do it over 2 or 3 seasons so we have to make up our own mind. That's the fun of it.

 

[BeeNice]

Just to add my tuppence worth, I try to have a hands off attitude with my bees, of course doing all the inspections etc, but I hate changing over hive bodies this time of year when the hives are still full of bees and not in the best temper. Also if I have done a quick inspection ie putting on varroa treatment I always go away a bit concerned whether the queen is ok!! All my hives are filling up with store well but I won't be changing over the hive bodies before winter. In the spring I will do an inspection, find the queen, move down and put on QX, any brood in the super will develope naturally anyway and I can make sure all is okay following the winter.
cheers Steven