Insulating only three sides a problem?

[Splatt]

Insulating 3 sides may be an improvement. Insulating will keep the hive a little warmer at night but a little slower to warm up in the morning. The open side to the sun should warm faster.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I guess I need one of my girls to fly up to me and tell me what they actually want!

The simplest most effective insulation is probably to put the hives in a portable garage with the door open to the south. Then the whole hive would be warmed. Concern would be the bees would fly out the door and freeze.

I'd be worried about them flying around and pooping on everything in the garage.