Where the entrance should be

[Curly green finger's]

No, in the hottest parts of summer they very much try to cool the hive, by fanning wings etc, and bearding if needed.

If I had wooden hives, and your setup, I would take the side insulation off for summer, but leave the roof insulation.

I agree, insulation above the crown board does help to cool hive down also in summer, last summer someone I know recorded 50c/55c above a cb without insulation with insulation 40c so it works both ways.
Q. Will the girls collect water to help humidity / temp control?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Will the girls collect water to help humidity / temp control?

Don't know but the bees certainly will

 

[JamezF]

A recent paper on heat loss in hives:

Thermal Impacts of Apicultural Practice and Products on the Honey Bee Colony

James

 

[Murox]

Tells rather well how keepers influence the hive design. Thought it a little mean not to mention that Langstroth's hive started out as double wall hive; Langstroth even predicted that Americans would make it into a single skin one.

 

[Antipodes]

Tells rather well how keepers influence the hive design. Thought it a little mean not to mention that Langstroth's hive started out as double wall hive; Langstroth even predicted that Americans would make it into a single skin one.

From what I've read, wasn't he also super keen on top ventilation?

 

[Finman]

I look the need of ventilation from the number of ventilating bees on the entrance.

I have in every box a entrance hole and I know how many holes I keep open in summer or in winter. It does not need much brain.

 

[Murox]

From what I've read, wasn't he also super keen on top ventilation?