Suffocation ?

[Michael Bush]

>where am i wrong?

Lack of heat is seldom what kills the hive, it's getting wet that kills them and that happens because of condensation and that happens because of no upper vent and high humidity.

I admit, condensation was never a problem in Mitchell, NE or Laramie, WY where it is much drier than here, but here (and anywhere there is much humidity at all) it can kill hives.

The upper entrances gives you a guarentee of air even if the bottom entrance is buried in snow, an entrance they can get out, even if the bottom entrance is plugged with snow or dead bees, and it reduces condensation on the lid which keeps the bees dry.

My top entrances in winter are usually only 2 1/2" wide or so and between 1/4" and 5/16" high.

[Trot]

Flygirl said:
Well, I think I screwed up because I had Styrofoam under the top cover but then I switched to a top feeder & I didn't think I could use the Styrofoam so I just put the outer cover on the top.  
I think I need to vent from the top but what's the best way to do this?  Via the cover or drilled holes?  It seems like the holes would let in too much cold air?  Doesn't the Styrofoam seal it up tight?  How to vent with the Styrofoam?  I'm having a hard time visualizing this...?



Since you are in Alaska, I would leave the set up as it is. Any disturbance, much less tearing off the feeder, will do them harm.
(Breaking the propolis-seal is a bad thing in winter, cause bees can't seal it back and the crack could be a source of nasty drought? That is also usually in spots where it does most damage to clustering bees!)

When you said "feeder on," I assume that is one of those box affairs that people use?
I have no use for them - but I suppose they a better than those darned Division feeders which take space instead of a frame. They should be outright baned IMO.
( I adopted a long time ago the standard inner cover with center hole on to which I install a feeding pail (7kg - 15 lbs in Spring I use Glass jars cause those are not affected by cold and don't drip like plastic might?  Of course around jars pails a stuff burlap, old woolen blankets also make Styrofoam box-covers. With hot glue! Got to keep feed warm for them to take it. They don't touch cold feed!)

Well, Flygirl, we should make do with what we got at hand. If you have old woolen things that are dated? Perhaps an old woolen blanket, etc?  I would cut that up in small strips. Half or an inch wide and whatever long? Stuff the feeder full with it.
(Wool is earth' best insulation - even when wet!  If time is not an issue, a small pillow like thingy can be made with this  and is handy to handle. Also handy to store and replace when  wet or full of ice?)

Possibilities here are endless. Once you got the idea what hurts the bees and you want to alleviate this hurt. It is same with most animals that we like to keep?!
You can cut old Styrofoam pieces and fill the box. Even sawdust, shavings, hay, etc.  Leaves are good further south - in your case that would be better if there were a cloth of some kind for the floor of that blasted feeder. (than condensation would go to the hay - leaves - and from there dissipate to the outside)
Hey, even packing peanuts will do the job.!?

Idea is, to insulate the top of the hive so it won't sweat/drip on the bees!  
You can install the Styrofoam right on top of the feeder and cut a shallow notch in the bottom of each side. About 3/8 x an inch or two wide.  Not too big, cause critters will get in!

What I have, is a deeper telescopic cover and I nailed on the inside strips of 3/4x3/4. So that the cover will sit on a hive high, thus giving above the Styrofoam a 4, 5 or 6 inch space, sort of an Attic, if you will.  In the side I drilled 3 holes -3/4 inch - on an angle. From the outside looking up, so water will shed off. Inside i stapled and hot-glued mosquito screen to keep ants/critters out. This cover is turned in winter with holes to the back. So with hives elevated at the back there is natural outflow and ventilation of this attic space.  This is important in summer especially in southern regions where heat is more intense. . . .

You have mentioned about drilling hole in the box?
Please don't!
Firstly:  Can't be done now.
Secondly: I had some time ago read some writings of an Commercial beek and an innovator. He stated that holes drilled around the handholds on a super was the most useless, idiotic and wasteful idea that he had ewer come across. He stated that it is perhaps the worst way that one can harm bees and deface the equipment!?
I totally agree. The hole in the box at that location serves no good purpose. It can actually do much harm to bees.
(Can cause much pain if one forgets to plug it - when mooving the hives!)
It certainly does nothing to alleviate the condensation problem, cause that is forming at the top of the box - by the time this moisture comes to this hole, to spill out, IMO your bees are done!

In an emergency you can just cut 4 pieces of 3/4 inch pine and place them on each corner. this will do, but in Spring a proper job should be done - cause I am of a mind that if the job is worth your time doing - it should be done right! If not, it has a habit to bite you in the a.. at some latter time!

Flygirl, I hope that I did not sound too confusing?  If I did, just shout and more can be said?
I hope that others can get something out of it also.  I have been on this thread for a while and I know that a lot have  already lost some bees needlessly?!  A lot have problems - with bees surviving - just barely and suffering in the process....

For those of you who appreciate my input, I wish you luck and I also thank you for occasional nice word that comes my way.
For those who are not quite sold on this wintering dilemma - they can check out the above, nice scientific account, describing the happenings in the hive come winter.
(I like to read that too, but it makes me sad, cause than I realize how stupid and old I must be?
Although I understand the therms described - but to take that jumble of fancy words and do something with it - that is another story. To make it work in individual situations, another still. . . .

Friends, don't be afraid to try things out. I have been doing this from the time I was 12 years old in old Carniola, what is now known as Slovenia.  The land of best beekeepers in the world!
What I tel you to do - you will find on, or in my hives and this and more, all come with long trial and error!  Through countless - hard years of blood, sweat and tears.

Wish you all dry and happy bees, at least till Spring. . . .