Cold days.

[Oldbee]

Hello. So now after a few "posts" about a warm November we are having it pretty cold here in the midwest with temps about 15 degress F. during the day and some days below 5 Deg.F. at night with a "chill" factor of ??. For those who are beekeepers in the "northern" latitudes do you "reduce" the entrance reducers? Is this benificial to our bees? Has anybody made "studies" about this? Now of course it's going to get warm again; into the 40's in a few days.

[Sundance]

I have entrance reducers on all the
colonies. I am sure it help with heat
retention for sure. But more important
for me is keeping mice out. They are
true evil doers. Perhaps they are even
members of the axis of evil?? ;) ;)

I made mine out of aluminum roof valley
flashing. Easy to make, and just staple
into place.

[Brent Bean]

The entrance reducer might stop drafts, but like Sundance said mouse guards are a must or you will have mice in your hives and they will make a big mess along with chewing up frames and foundation. If you don’t have any on get some on, you should also check if you have mice, if you are using Screen bottom boards look in the tray you will see mouse droppings and other signs of damage like chewed pieces of wood
( which were part of you frames) and foundation and comb.
If you find signs of mice you will need to evict them prior to putting on your mouse guards.