Winter Prep-Ventilation, Insulation & Insertion

[Etton]

My winter preparations have included above cover board 30mm polystyrene insulation over a carpet square, insertion of varroa board to reduce draughts with sponge stuffed between the the gaps, narrowed bee space entrance with mouse guard. Three of my 4 hives also have (nadired) supers below brood box(no QE's)

Just worried if it could be too cosy with not enough ventilation; would you do any different?

Hives in exposed position, hive without super is polystyrene from Abelo.

 

[Anduril]

The bees produce their own ventilation by fanning. I personally don't use pieces of carpet. I was shown the Abelo poly this year

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The bees produce their own ventilation by fanning.

Kick the carpet into touch - doesn't do much apart from act like a sponge, instead of polystyrene just source a piece of 40 or 50mm kingspan/celotex whatever, cut it to fit snugly inside the roof,block the vents in the roof then fix the kingspan permanently inside - helps keep the hive cool in summer as well.

Personally I wouldn't faff around too with sealing up the inspection board - never leave any of mine in, but if you insist you need to take it out regularly and clean the crud away.

Also if you use a mouse guard leave a wide entrance as it will quickly get clogged up with dead bees otherwise.

 

[REDWOOD]

Feed treat and insulate with a block of kingspan, say good night and see you all Christmas time for a bit of vaping

 

[For want of a better word]

Feed treat and insulate with a block of kingspan, say good night and see you all Christmas* time for a bit of vaping

I am going to sneak up on them around the *C season!!... I do not want to see them until Spring!

Nos da

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Put a super of insulation on that Abelo too....

 

[Finman]

My winter preparations have included above cover board 30mm polystyrene insulation over a carpet square, insertion of varroa board to reduce draughts with sponge stuffed between the the gaps, narrowed bee space entrance with mouse guard. Three of my 4 hives also have (nadired) supers below brood box(no QE's)

Just worried if it could be too cosy with not enough ventilation; would you do any different?

Hives in exposed position, hive without super is polystyrene from Abelo.

Main principle is that inner cover has better insulation than walls. Are your poly walls 4 cm? ..If so, 3 cm is too cool, and it codensates water, I do not know what is that carpet.

What about floor? Solid or mesh?
,

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I do not know what is that carpet.

,

Axminster probably

 

[Webby]

I have a piece of 100mm celotex in the super over the crownboard, and have made a cosy out of 25mm celotex which covers the lot.

 

[Finman]

I have a piece of 100mm celotex in the super over the crownboard, and have made a cosy out of 25mm celotex which covers the lot.

I have 9 mm wood board and 50 - 75 mm plastic foam matress. Enough in -30C temps.

 

[REDWOOD]

Axminster probably

Or a bit of shag pile

 

[oliver90owner]

No point in sealing up OMF. I have ever only closed them down a tad in really hard weather. Certainly no point at all with a shallow below the brood box. Bees will not go downwards in the depths of winter and will certainly not be fanning while clustered!

 

[Anduril]

I see your point and agree, I answered as winter preparation and not the depths of winter.

 

[Etton]

Main principle is that inner cover has better insulation than walls. Are your poly walls 4 cm? ..If so, 3 cm is too cool, and it codensates water, I do not know what is that carpet.

What about floor? Solid or mesh?
,

It's OMF and Axminster cut to fit on top of cover board

 

[Etton]

Axminster probably

Correct, Axminster cut off!

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Not omf when you have the slide in !!

 

[Etton]

Put a super of insulation on that Abelo too....

Suggesting a super above the brood? Why, I'm using an eke to give space for my carpet square.

 

[Finman]

Suggesting a super above the brood? Why, I'm using an eke to give space for my carpet square.

I do not use supers neither over or under. And no on in Finland use extra space during winter. That supering system does that condensation happens inside the hive.

 

[REDWOOD]

I have 9 mm wood board and 50 - 75 mm plastic foam matress. Enough in -30C temps.

Is that for you or your bees

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

At least the plastic mattress means any nocturnal spillages can just be wiped away.