Winterising hive in Virginia/Maryland

[NZrebel]

Hi

  New to bee keeping, and to this forum. I have a nuc in 3 x 5 frame medium nuc boxes. The bottom board is solid and the only ventilation is the escape notch in the inner cover. The only other bee keeper I know doesnt seem too worried about things like extra ventilation holes or insulating his hives at all, but I am nervous coming into my first winter with bees

   Anyone in the Northern Va/ Maryland area have any strong opinions on what is best for our area?

  Dave

[mikecva]

I have used roofing paper (tar paper) for years. I now use tar paper and cozies. Remember to put a slight tilt forward so the condensation will not drip on your bees. If your hives are in the open you may need a wind break (I use bails of hay to block the wind where there are no trees.)  -Mike

[NZrebel]

Ok, so you do wrap with something then Mike, that's good to know. PM'ed you


  Dave

[GSF]

Welcome to the forum.

[OldMech]

3x5?   So you have three, five frame medium boxes?  I would think they would winter well that way.

   I typically winter in TWO, five frame medium boxes here in SE Iowa. I had five of five winter for 2013/2014 and I had eight of ten nucs go through last winter that way.
   I push two nucs togehter and wrap them with tar paper. With two five frame medium boxes per nuc I did not use an upper vent. With three I would consider having the upper entrance. More bees, more warmth rising and more condensation...
    I use 1" upper entrances on all of my full sized hives with astounding success. I have not seen as much of a problem with nucs until they start to get a lot of bees in them.