Wintering bees in Indiana

[jldoll]

2012 wood & bees 003.jpg

I have very good luck wintering my bees this way. There is 3/4 inch of fome under the lid and 1 inch on top of the lid. It important to keep the vent open at the top oh the hive.

[JRH]

I do the same thing except I use straps from strapworks.com to hold the styrofoam and I just insulate the top box. Works pretty well here in Vermont.

[Kirk Osborne]

Interesting... how does that compare to the roofing paper?

[JRH]

I don't think roofing paper has the same R-value as 2" styrofoam.

[jldoll]

The roofing paper is black and it heats up to much, even in cold weather if the sun shine's the hive gets very warm. this extreme temterture change is to much for the bees to handle. I have had a lot of dead hives using black paper. I have had very good luck with the styrofoam.
Try this yourself with roofing paper. When the sun shine's the black paper will get very warm, even hot. Once you try this you will see for yourself. good luck Jerry

[JRH]

The roofing paper is black and it heats up to much, even in cold weather if the sun shine's the hive gets very warm.

Thanks for the observation. Here in Vermont, it can get pretty cold when the sun isn't shining. And in the dead of winter, it's night more than half of the time. I've had good luck with exterior styrofoam insulation, too.