View Full Version : Another question about moisture control in the winter
CovertBeekInColleyville
09-09-2009, 12:57 PM
Has anyone ever tried making a moisture control box as described for the Warre hive but for a langstroth hive?
I am using the langstroth hives was thinking of stapling some burlap to the bottom of a empty super and filling with sawdust.
I would also drill some holes in the sides of the super and cover with #8 mesh for ventilation to air out the moisture in the sawdust. This box would be on top with the telescoping lids on top.
I would put a piece of cotton material or wire mesh in between the burlap and the frames to keep the bees from chewing through the burlap.
Anyone had any luck with a setup like/similar to this?
beehoppers
09-09-2009, 07:09 PM
The "Mountaincamp Method" would be simpler and for sure works well. It provides food if they chose to eat the sugar.
A link: http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215963&highlight=mountaincamp+method
Hambone
09-09-2009, 07:28 PM
The Mountaincamp Method would work great. Also, in our area you can run a SBB open year round which helps a lot.
Another vote for the basic pile of sugar. I do most of my hives that way about mid-winter to get them going for spring.
CovertBeekInColleyville
09-10-2009, 07:54 AM
The Mountain Camp method looks much easier than my idea. I am glad I asked. Thanks for the suggestion.
bnatural
09-10-2009, 02:03 PM
MC method. Also, if you have vent boxes over the inner cover, the moist air will rise out of the hive. Or, use a shim with a top entrance, like the one BetterBee sells.
http://betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=1562
I use vent boxes and in the winter top entrances. Also have used the MC method with both of the above. And all my hives have SBB.
Bill
StevenG
09-10-2009, 03:15 PM
Do those shims work as well, providing a top entrance in the summer during a flow?
And is there much problem with burr comb?
bnatural
09-10-2009, 05:47 PM
I only use them in the winter and take them off in the spring. So, I don't have any issues with burr comb. My guess is that the bees would build up some comb on top of the frames, if there was that much room, but others, who use them year round, can provide info from experience. I like them, because they provide room for putting things, like dry sugar, on the frames, if needed, and there is an exit/entrance above the snow, if the bottom gets buried as can happen up here.
Bill