Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
I have found a few sheets of this aluminium glass fibre insulation and have placed it on top of my hives. Even though its cold now in Sweden one honey comb has collapsed and I cant see a reason why since it was attached on both sides of the wall. Nothing indicates a mice being in there. The comb wasnt eaten just collapsed and by doing so it squashed many bees.
The only thing I can think of is the aluminium part of the insulation creating too much heat? Is this possible? There are no electricity lines near the hives.
http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/447/8...845447_892.jpg
Thank you
Re: Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
Che G-
I assume that you had the aluminum facing up when place on the hive? If so, I cannot imagine that the insulation with foil backing could have caused the temperature to reach a level to cause comb collapse. I would expect that more than one comb would have collapsed if high temperature were the cause. I suspect that the collapse is unrelated to the aluminum on the insulation. I live in the southern US and I would have no problem with placing the insulation pad on top of the hive in full summer sun.
Re: Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
Hey Buddha,
I am pretty sure the insulation shouldn't cause the collapse. It would seem if it was hot inside the bees would have bearded up on the outside. Possibly something could have shaken the hive??
Also I watched a video about insulating a TBH and they wrapped the insulation in plastic first.
One other item...I have different styles of top bars and the angled bottomed ones work best for me..The ones that have a spline sticking out of the bottom, not so good. It seems the splined ones end up with less attachment wax at the top.(They only attach to the spline, not the bar)
Re: Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
@TFG
I have the aluminium facing top bars but still the foil doesnt get warmer than the hive and since the 1 inch top bar tickness is also to be taken into account there is very little chance for the temp being even close to the actual hive temp on that LAST TOP BAR.
I did create a HEAVY SUGAR SYRUP FLOW at that time and the comb was FULL of uncapped sugar syrup ... high water content making it too heavy. Last comb is always the newest comb meaning too thin.
@ Keefis
my insulation is placed into black plastic bags (I forgot to mention it earlier)
I am interested to see a picture of those top bars you mention
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Re: Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
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Hey Buddha,
Hopefully these pics came through.
You can see the difference in the amount of attachment wax.
Re: Aluminium Glass Fibre Insulation, good or bad?
Thanks, the pics are great. I see what you mean. My top bars are simply plain bars without anything sticking out. The bar sides are rough and only have a thin wax melted onto it. See on my blog;
http://chopwoodcarrywaterplantseeds....x-stripes.html