[Jheberling]

After four winters of replacing some or all of my bees I’ve decided I am going to mimic Mike’s style of raising bees as he lives in a climate similar to mine. My question is I’ve noticed all of his colonies sit on the ground I believe on a 2x4 base while I have mine sitting on a elevated stand. Now I realize he runs a lot more colonies than I do and would be a lot more work to sit his hives on stands. But by his hives buried in the snow is there some kind of insulation by the snow that helps with his overwintering?

 

[Alex Madsen]

Based on Mikes Video, I think he keeps them on the ground so the hive is easier to work. Mike indicates he likes to tip the hive over on its back then separate the boxes and inspect them from the bottom. It saves time, squishing bees during box separations and some heavy lifting.

See 44:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2719&v=JOa_SOWVdmk

 

[Jheberling]

I do remember him saying that since you mentioned it! Thank you.

 

[Michael Palmer]

Yes, snow helps insulate. But, it's not only about a low stand, or a hive configuration. It's also about the bees. What are you replacing the deadouts with. Proven stock that winters well in the north, or....And are you feeding them if they need it, early enough so they ripen it? And, are you keeping the varroa load down below treatment threshold? It all matters.

 

[Jheberling]

Yes, snow helps insulate. But, it's not only about a low stand, or a hive configuration. It's also about the bees. What are you replacing the deadouts with. Proven stock that winters well in the north, or....And are you feeding them if they need it, early enough so they ripen it? And, are you keeping the varroa load down below treatment threshold? It all matters.

Mike,
I hate to admit it but my replacements in the past has been with those southern packages. I couldn’t find the stock I wanted around my area, so I ordered some queens from you that I will have this July. Also this year I will be weighing and getting hives that are light fed in August. I had been using OAV for treatments and not doing mite counts, no more will be doing mite counts this year and using Apivar as you recommend on one of your videos

 

[Michael Palmer]

Also this year I will be weighing and getting hives that are light fed in August.

Do you have a goldenrod flow? I delay weighing until the goldenrod flow is finished. Our flow usually begins about August 10 and lasts about 3 weeks. Then we weigh and feed.

 

[Jheberling]

Yes we do have one. That’s what I will do then, Thanks for the help Mike!