i am looking for some ideas on a way to heat a ob hive. the hive would be outside under cover but may not be in a warm room. It would be set up for a couple of months sep-oct for a corn maze in tn. the temps can get way to cold for the bees. I was thinking of a single frame deep five frame tall hive. Will it work if i build a double wall,with glass. One side would be fixed ,the door side hinged. The base would need some pipe for air duct for heat to get between the glass. I dont think the hive will need to be opened once it is set up. It would be taken out at the end of the season and kept in a warm room or combined with another hive. I know this is going to be difficult but ,like most things in beekeeping with enough help it can work and look good too. thanks in advance for your ideas. jeff
How about a heat tape with an adjustable thermostat, hard to find but out there, placed in between the Double glass ?
Remember glass gets HOT & COLD very quickly.
Bee-Bop
Be sure the glass is not in direct sunlight. You can still fry bees this time of year.How cold does it get there in Sept,Oct?
It looks like 70s for highs and 50s for lows through the beginnig of October. I wouldn't think that would be too cold.
Thanks for the reply. The heat tape sounds like it could work well. I wonder if there is a product on the market like auto glass with the defrost tape,wire that could be put on the glass. I better check my budget? As for the temps here we can have some freezing temp in Oct. The weather is mild now but it can change fast this time of year. Wish it would change now, been wet all summer. This hive will be out of the sun 24ft deep in a open shed so no worrys about the sun, or wind. What I had in mind was to build the base of the hive with an opening just big enough to put a hot lamp for heat. Use a small fan to mave the air to the top , with a thermacouple mounted in the top. I still need to work out the details on the fire hazards with the heat lamp. The heat tape Is lookin better and safer and least heavy. If i could go with a 12 volt elec devise it may be handy to use for those special events like our pumpken fest. I find I dont allways have power outlets close to me.keep the thoughts coming .Thanks again. jeff