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Was wondering if you wrap your hives with felt paper or insulate the hive bodies in some way or do nothing?
I found plastic sign board at Lowes today.
If I cut a piece of rigid foam to fit inside the telescoping cover and then add a piece of sign board, that should keep the cold from condensing some of the moist air under the cover.
And keep the bees from chewing at it while they have access to granulated sugar on top of the inner cover.
Also plan to have a top entrance open.
Really depends cold temperature. If you use roofing felt around here I never wrap mine I just get them out of the wind. I have done it before and I have the hive and hive body and a bucket feeder. The felt is 2in taller from base of hive to the cover. Make the entrance small cause you want circulation of air or you will get condinsation. Here usually get cold for 2 or 3 weeks and warm up for 3 days or a week. If mine were going to be in the wind I would wrap
You'll hear lots of ideas - take what you want. We wrap hives in 15# roofing paper, primarily to block wind, and place 2 inch foam insulation on top of the roofs for insulation. Both can be reused for several seasons. Note - get the 15# paper and not heavier 30# - the 30# is harder to wrap around the hives. Use staple gun to hold in place - easy to remove in Spring. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
I have hives out in fields where the wind blows down the valley.I will use straw bales and stack them around the hives with air space in between the hives and straw.I give the farmers some honey for the straw.The hives i have in more isolated areas i do not bother with.If a hive dies it's usually from mites or cold starvation!
I used "bee cozy"s from NOD, same people that make MAQS. They're a breeze to put on and take off. They'll last for many years. I only have a few hives and they seem to work for me. My hive location is subject to the winds in the winter.
Sorry I forgot to update this thread.
Ended up using 15lb felt paper to wrap the hives and stapled it on. Pretty simple.
It's been in the 40's a few times and I've checked for condensation.
Haven't seen any so ventilation appears to be working.
We are supposed to get hit with below freezing temps for the next few days.
Three of the clusters seem small so I'm doing a road trip to lowes to pick up some 1" foam board.
It may or may not help but I'll give it a try anyways.
I use Bee Cozy's. I only have few hives, and nothing is easier to use. Just slide them on in the winter, and off in the spring for use the following year.
I have wind breaks and i wrap them with this
http://www.bbhoneyfarms.com/store/c-...winter-packing
Looks like this.
http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps8b38651a.jpg
Plus i put 1in piece of insulation board under the tel. cover works for me and mine are in high wind .
Placing 2" of the pink rigid foam insulation on top of the cover, accomplishes the very same as placing it inside the telescoping cover but doesn't allow the bees to chew it all up. Saves yourself from using the signboard. OMTCW
We covered 4 hives and 1 Nuc with three 4x8 sheets.
Glad we don't have bear problems around here. Wait, just jinxed myself.
Every now and then in Spring one comes down off the Appalachian Trail and travels all the way south to our area.
I've heard they are looking for food and a mate and maybe not in that order.
Will try the insulation on top and that will save me a few bucks.
thanks
I wrapped all hives with roofing paper and vented inner and outer covers with popsicle sticks. All 4 hives are doing well.
When I wintered bees in PA it was at about 1300' elevation outside of Gillette, on the NY border almost directly north of Robesonia.
(Winter temp to -15 or so)
I didn't wrap the double deeps at all.
I did put a quilt box on top with about 3" of shredded leaves in it.
I had huge population in spring.