Eight frames for winter

[mat]

Has anybody tried decreasing number of frames from 10 in the summer to 8 for winter. I am thinking about trying that for this winter.  I noticed that 1st and 10th frames are never used during winter. Two deeps with 8 frames should hold enough honey, and wouldn't smaller space keep them warmer?

[bassman1977]

noticed that 1st and 10th frames are never used during winter.

Maybe, but if they are ever low on stores, you can have these frames readily available to move closer to the cluster to get through the remainder of winter.

Two deeps with 8 frames should hold enough honey, and wouldn't smaller space keep them warmer?

Yes, but it would be easier for them to keep the space warm if it was filled with something and not have 2 additional pockets of cold air.  I think the key here is to keep things compact, close and tight together.

[Michael Bush]

If you want to make a couple of follower boards out of the closed cell styrofoam, you could do that.  Take out two empty frames and put in the styrofoam to fill the space.  1 1/2" thick stuff will do nicely.

[mat]

Yes, that what I thought about.

[hankdog1]

but wouldn't they chew and try to remove the styrofoam on warm days? 

[Brian D. Bray]

Has anybody tried decreasing number of frames from 10 in the summer to 8 for winter. I am thinking about trying that for this winter.  I noticed that 1st and 10th frames are never used during winter. Two deeps with 8 frames should hold enough honey, and wouldn't smaller space keep them warmer?

The outside frames are always storage frames so they aren't used much in the summer either, but can be vital during the winter.  That said, in the case of overwintering bees, available space up/down is much more important than space side to side.  That is one reason, over the years, that I've noticed bees tend to overwinter better in 8 frame hives over 10 frame hives....less side to side space that makes the stores closer to the cluster.

[Michael Bush]

>but wouldn't they chew and try to remove the styrofoam on warm days? 

They might.  The white open cell stuff they definetly will.