Wrapping them up for winter, perspex crown board on or off?

[clare p]

I am just readying them for winter
One July nuc is in a wbc brood box, I have been feeding and a few weeks ago there were 8+ full frames of capped stores, very little brood during the apiguard treatment and now I want to leave them alone for the winter.
This weekend I will take off the rapid feeder and bed them down.
My question is
Do I leave on my perspex crown board, will it cause condensation and should I cover up the hole (was thinking of putting the rapid feeder lid over it) and I am in two minds whether to insulate the roof, it is a WBC roof covered in copper sheet (husband is a metal worker), we have some celotex (sp?) left in a barn.
Do I insulate and leave a small gap at the edges or does that defeat the purpose?
Same question for my July swarm in a national hive.

Many thanks
Clare

 

[oliver90owner]

First question is solid floor or OMF? I leave no top ventilation with OMF. Effective top insulation directly onto the crownboard will reduce/prevent condensation on same. But they must have adequate ventilation to prevent dampness in the hive without undue chilling. An OMF is more than adequate for ventilation.

Regards, RAB

 

[drstitson]

winter prep



drat you beat me to it rab

 

[oliver90owner]

drat you beat me to it

I've got the time. Only on very light duties at the present time! Things would be getting boring unless I can read a book, go for a short walk, etc.

Regards, RAB

 

[clare p]

Hi
thanks for your reply
the wbc is solid floor and the national is omf
Clare