So, I am finished building my KTBHs and am ready to put them in place and level them in preparation for my bees this weekend. I have my lang hives on a south-facing hill in the full sun. It does get pretty hot on the hill during the summer. Here in WI, we ususally get a few weeks above 90 and a few days in the 100s each year. Some years are worse. My langs are fine, although I can tell they do not really enjoy the weather.
I am a bit worried that putting KTBHs in the hot sun will leave the hives too hot. I have read about comb collapse and would like to avoid it. For now, I am using the reflective foil sided hard foam insulation as the top cover, but plan to build something more substantial at some point. I may also just use a sheet of plywood in conjunction with the insulation. I plan to use the MB entrance method of simply recessing the first bar enough for the bees to enter/exit. It seems that a wood box in the full sun with just one entrance at the end might get very hot. I know bees are skilled at ventilation through one hole, but would I be better off to find a place in the shade?
Thanks!
I am a bit worried that putting KTBHs in the hot sun will leave the hives too hot. I have read about comb collapse and would like to avoid it. For now, I am using the reflective foil sided hard foam insulation as the top cover, but plan to build something more substantial at some point. I may also just use a sheet of plywood in conjunction with the insulation. I plan to use the MB entrance method of simply recessing the first bar enough for the bees to enter/exit. It seems that a wood box in the full sun with just one entrance at the end might get very hot. I know bees are skilled at ventilation through one hole, but would I be better off to find a place in the shade?
Thanks!