Straw Hives

[BlueBee]

OK, and you all thought I was crazy with my foam insulation..... Here is what my neighbor is doing to over winter her bees  :)

Yep, there's a bee hive under all that straw!







So what do you think?

[mikecva]

Interesting!  I would have worried about lack of ventilation. Please let us know how this works out in the spring (re post the pictures for us older beeks who will not remember 'the straw hive"  :brian: ) -Mike

[Maryland Beekeeper]

I think your neighbor is a smart lady. However I would suggest a few bricks or scrap 2x under bales and a piece of plywood or tarp on top. The straw is great dry but soon she will have big ice cubes surrounding her hive. I would guess she realizes this and just uncovered for pic but thought I'd mention it.
Cheers,
Drew

[Finski]

.
Quite  a system.

I suppose that it rains so much in Michigan that straws are wet in winter and mouldy.

Double box over the hive would be more handy when you nurse the hive.

Seems to be open and windy place.

[jan]

Straw gets really heavy and also moldy when wet.  Will this work?

[AllenF]

Sheet of plywood over the top would keep it dry.   Just find a way to tie it down.