Should I reduce the entranve to my hive for winter?

[mick]

It gets down to 0 maybe twice a winter but usually hovers around 6-11 degrees at worst.

Im thinking it might be a good idea to block some of those cold draughts by reducing the entrance size.

Is it a good idea and should I block the middle, one end or 2/3 of one side or what?

cheers

[Finsky]

You may follow proper entrance when you look how much  you have ventilation bees in entrance.

Look boxes too, many box you leave during winter.

.

[Joseph Clemens]

Mick,

I'm guessing, are you south of the equator? If so, that means your winter is just about to begin. Also the temperatures you are describing are in celcius and not fahrenheit. If that is true your winters are about the same, temperature wise, as ours here in Tucson, Arizona, USA and some parts of northern Florida, USA. I keep my SBB (Screened Bottom Boards) open all year long and have had no problems from that.

[Finsky]

I keep my SBB (Screened Bottom Boards) open all year long and have had no problems from that.

I suppose that in Australia it is wise to keep entrance very small because of small hive beatle. I see no idea either that bees have too much of ventilation. In nature bee make entrance smaller and they carry resin into hive if it is too cold.

[mick]

Thaks guys, sorry yes sth of the equator, just north of tasmania and celsius temps to boot

I think its important to keep reminding myself: Provide a nice home and apart from the basic maintenance and inspection, let the bees do the rest.

[eivindm]

yes sth of the equator, just north of tasmania and celsius temps to boot

For mick and all the others that do not have their location set in your user profile: Please fill in the location so it will be shown in your postings. We don't  need or want your full address, but your state, country or some clue to where you live so it will be easier to imagine how your climate is and give a good answer to your questions.  That was today's reminder  :)