I am building some outer covers and need some advice

[hemichuck]

I am in the process of building some outer covers for next year and have a few questions.Keep in mind I've only been at this for a year or so,so I have a lot more questions than answers.I am building some garden style roofs for a couple of my hives and was wondering if there was any advantage to putting some insulation in the dead space between the cover and roof.Wondering if it would cut down on condensation.I talked to some beekeepers from Maine and they said that they throw a piece of black insul-board between their covers because it soaks up the condensation and the bees come up and drink off of it.I know that the bees dont really produce enough heat to warm the hive beyond the cluster from talking to a researcher from one of the universities.He said the main thing is to prevent drafts and moisture from condensation.Does anyone insulate their roof?

[alpha6]

I personally don't insulate my hive tops and have both migratory and telescoping lids but I know some people that do put insulation in their lids. The problem as you well know is that heat rises, comes in contact with a cool surface or air and condensates allowing water to drip back onto the hive. With a garden style roof I would design it as such. In the peek of the roof on both sides I would drill a hole and screen it to allow heat to exit the hive at the peek. You can fill the roof area with an absorbent material like burlap if you want the insulation and then under that you will need a solid surface but with several screened holes to allow heat to move up into the top part of the roof. That should accomplish what you are trying to achive. I don't think it will hurt the bees to insulate the cover IF you allow for the warm air to move through it and not condensate onto the inner part.

Good luck.

[Michael Bush]

The bees are not particular. A top entrance seems to do more for condensation than a dead air space. Here are mine:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm