Number of brood boxes for wintering

charlotte · July 21, 2009, 01:25:03 AM

Thanks everyone... Nice to see what other folks are doing! Be sure that you are not "hopelessly lost" if you vote, as your location is important in regards to how you winter.

Irwin · July 21, 2009, 09:04:59 AM

One deep one medium

nella · July 21, 2009, 09:07:48 AM

Two 10 frame deep.

Yarra_Valley · July 21, 2009, 09:12:52 AM

Lots of bees = two 8 frame deeps. Not so many bees = single 8 frame deep. Even less bees = unite.

-J.

bassman1977 · July 21, 2009, 10:36:26 AM

3 10 frame mediums is what I typically go into winter with. I've gone as small as 2 10 frame mediums without issue. Those were smaller hives.

jdpro5010 · July 21, 2009, 10:49:52 AM

story and a half. 1 deep, 1 med.

Wynoochee_newbee_guy · July 21, 2009, 02:13:08 PM

two deeps

BeeHopper · July 21, 2009, 04:37:19 PM

Two Deeps :)

WayneW · July 21, 2009, 05:00:31 PM

2 Deeps or 3 mediums. About the same volume of bees, just preferr to use mediums.

Keith13 · July 21, 2009, 05:13:26 PM

1 deep 1 medium

alflyguy · July 21, 2009, 05:38:23 PM

Two deeps. It might be over kill in Alabama but it worked last year.

Brian D. Bray · July 22, 2009, 08:30:23 PM

With Russians and Carnies I overwinter with 3 medium 8 frames. With Italians I assume I'll be overwintering with 4 medium 8 frames but winter isn't here yet, just going on past experience based on cluster size.

NasalSponge · July 22, 2009, 08:33:10 PM

2 deep 10 framers

MustbeeNuts · July 22, 2009, 08:54:53 PM

3 meds 10 frame, I figure three is the right number for me.

jeremy_c · July 22, 2009, 09:02:46 PM

It'd be nice to be able to see the poll results w/o voting. I am a first year beek and I don't know, I've never wintered bees before, but I'd like to see what everyone else thinks. I can vote and say, 2 or something, but then I skew the results just so I can see what others think.

Jeremy

Jim134 · July 22, 2009, 09:50:09 PM

In 1957 to 1984 I use 2 Deeps 10 frames 1985 to now 3 meds 10 frames Athol (tool town) Massachusetts USA

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

rast · July 22, 2009, 10:13:11 PM

It really depends on what, if anything they do in the fall, what I take, and the size of the hive going in. Not a whole lot of winter here. 1 1/2 on the small to 3 deeps. Not usually a lot of "hard winter" here.

charlotte · July 23, 2009, 08:43:17 PM

I edited the poll so anyone can see the results with out voting...just had it locked initially to get people to vote! I see your point for new beeks- so here you go ;)

Thanks everyone!
-Charlotte

Kathyp · July 23, 2009, 09:03:54 PM

depends on the hive. a couple of my late swarms will be one deep. the older and bigger hives will be two deeps.

WayneW · July 24, 2009, 11:05:08 PM

Quote from: jeremy_c on July 22, 2009, 09:02:46 PM
It'd be nice to be able to see the poll results w/o voting. I am a first year beek and I don't know, I've never wintered bees before, but I'd like to see what everyone else thinks. I can vote and say, 2 or something, but then I skew the results just so I can see what others think.

Jeremy

The results are already skewed by location. To simply view the results of the poll is no particular indication of what would be right for YOU. It depends on hive size/strength, location, and overall health. Ask some local beeks or attend a few meetings before winter sets in, and find out what others in your region are doing to successfully over-winter hives.