enough ventilation?

[twind59]

It's warm enough here in Indy today that the bee's are flying some! I was wondering if using the inner cover with the half-circle ventilation hole and the outer cover pulled forward to keep it open is considered enough ventilation for my 2 deep brood boxes. Any opinions on this? Thanks.
Barry
Indianapolis

[Phoenix]

It is my opinion that the exhaust port you describe should be restrictive enough to retain some heat, yet adequate enough to exhaust the excess humidity in order to maintain a healthy colony. You don't want to leave the top wide open with unrestricted airflow, though the bees will let you know if it's too much, they will just propolize the excessive passages of airflow.

[twind59]

Thanks for the feedback. Though I am a beginner, I had been under the impression that this was an accepted and successful form of ventilation. Inspite of this, I don't seem to see very much discussion about this method. Just seems to me to be simple and makes sense. Well...this is the method I am using for ventilation this winter. I guess time will tell if it is the best thing to do, or not!

[MountainCamp]

It is hard to say what is enough or too much ventilation as each cluster is different.
It is easier to tell when the ventialtion is too litte as there is condensate formed above the cluster.
A cluster can deal with excess ventilation better than they can - too little and getting wet.

[This message has been edited by MountainCamp (edited December 04, 2004).]

[Michael Bush]

What you describe sounds good.

There are many things involved and I don't think any of use truly understands exactly how to figure it. The size of the cluster. The climate. The weather (that particular winter as opposed to the climate). As mentioned you'll know when it's not enough because you'll get ice on the bottom of the cover that will melt and drip down on the cluster.

Mainly, though, I try to have some kind of upper entrance. It doesn't have to be very large.