Keeping my top cover open in the winter

Mike770 · February 16, 2014, 10:20:32 PM

Hi my name is Mike I live in Brooklyn and its been real cold it's my 1st winter as a beekeeper and lost one hive already, (they were all frozen and dead on top of the frames) I have a 2nd colony thank Gd.

I wanted to know if I'm worried they won't be able to get out when the weather warms up (it will be 49 we'd and Fri) should I put 4 pieces of 1" x2" between the inner cover and the top cover to allow them a way to get in and out?

Thank you for your time

Mike in Brooklyn

GSF · February 16, 2014, 10:31:06 PM

Why couldn't they get out of the bottom part? Snow? Dead bees? just curious. I'm a new beek as well, but I'd want to say it may vent too much warmth out. Some of our northern beeks will help you out.

You probably need to go and edit your profile and add your location instead of hopeless lost. Some questions are location specific. And BTW - Welcome!

Mike770 · February 16, 2014, 10:49:48 PM

Ya I'm worried of snow ice dead bees blocking the entrance and if it,s only a crack open would it help or hurt
Mike

Oblio13 · February 17, 2014, 08:48:27 AM

If the entrance is blocked, is there a reason you can't unblock it?

tefer2 · February 17, 2014, 09:44:35 AM

Bent metal coat hanger works good for hooking out dead bees and such.

iddee · February 17, 2014, 10:00:12 AM

Being blocked in is better than being frozen. Either open the bottom entrance slightly or leave as is. Do you have the upper windows in your house open?

T Beek · February 17, 2014, 10:41:33 AM

Quote from: tefer2 on February 17, 2014, 09:44:35 AM
Bent metal coat hanger works good for hooking out dead bees and such.

Yep-keep one hanging in the yard. :) Can't imagine that its warm enough to prop tops yet anywhere north of Ohio ;)

Mike770 · February 17, 2014, 11:53:52 AM

I keep them on my roof so the access is iffy at times,
Thank you will do.

2Sox · February 17, 2014, 12:44:00 PM

I have a notched Brushy Mountain inner cover that I invert in the winter for a top entrance/exit. On top of it, I have a 1 1/2" piece of Styrofoam (with center hole coinciding with center hole of inner cover) to keep in the warmth and allow condensation to escape. I have a 4" vented feeding super all year round to allow for this. (I recall many posts discussing vapor escape and convection currents). Yes, the "windows" may be open on top but I don't have it raining on the bees in the winter nor a mold situation. Seems to work for me.

jayj200 · February 18, 2014, 04:38:07 PM

Yea 2sox tell em but they cant listen to a couple newbeeks.
that would affect their impression of the world.
jay

Mike770 · February 19, 2014, 11:10:06 AM

Thank you!
I do have a spacer I can cut a notch in and thank G-d I knocked this morning and heard the all buzzing.... but every once in a while i'll knock and one bee flys out and gets stuck in the snow i try to put her back but she keeps going away from the hive and most likly dieing, Why is this and should thes make me no longer knock in the winter?

By the way its going to be 46 today!

Mike

Mike770 · February 19, 2014, 11:15:59 AM

Sorry I did not correct my spelling in the previous letter.

Mike

Oblio13 · February 20, 2014, 09:21:55 AM

They'll do best with peace and quiet during the winter.