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Ideas to weather protect hive boxes from wind & rain please

  • 26 Aug 2020 2:38 PM
    Message # 9192575

    I listened with interest to Jan Lohman’s suggestions to improve the chance of colonies overwintering.  Has anybody had great success with any particular type of material to wrap or protect hive boxes from northwest wind & rain?

    Also I noted that ventilation & flow through of air is helpful.  So does anybody successfully overwinter their hives with rear close to a hedge or a wall?

    if any TVBA beekeeper places a hive in a garden shed with enough light and open air access for cleansing flights, I’d be interested to have a conversation and gain some tips.  Thanks very much, Gloria

    Moved from General Bee Topics, including how to obtain bees: 23 Aug 2021 6:14 AM
  • 5 Sep 2020 11:28 AM
    Reply # 9214155 on 9192575
    Anonymous

    Hi Gloria, One of the richest bee keeping knowledge bases is found at at this site: https://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-wrap-a-hive/

    She lives near Olympia and her climate is not far from ours.  She has a lot to say about wrapping with how to photos. Use her sites' search engine and enter "wrap or not" and you will find lots of read.  Here's another of her articles: https://www.honeybeesuite.com/to-wrap-or-not-to-wrap/

    BUT to summarize my reading of her posts: Wrapping not needed here in Oregon and seldom done. If you do anything, an insulated cover, screened bottom, some venting up top and a upper exit for cleansing flights, are a proven approach.  I'm using a Winter Shim (see image) but a standard Imirie Shim can be adapted. See attached .pdf on shim.

    Our hives are about 1 ft from a fence and have a rain shield perched over them at about 7 ft height.

  • 5 Sep 2020 1:15 PM
    Reply # 9214351 on 9192575
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Hi Gloria, I've chosen to cover my colonies with a simple correx or other thick plastic cover to create a 4 to 6 inch roof "umbrella" or rain shadow around the hive. I'm all about cheap and easy- and I think it helps reduce excess moisture within the hive.

    Last modified: 5 Sep 2020 1:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 29 Sep 2020 9:45 PM
    Reply # 9273492 on 9192575
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    I have been trying to find sources of coroplast since watching some YouTube videos on insulating hives. But I've been told by Lowes/HomeDepot that the Mfg is focusing on face shields and that supply is constrained due to Covid. I'd love to have some specific recommendations on how to DIY some rain shields. 

    I plan on doing something like this beek does for wrapping/insulation this year to try and increase overwintering success.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaidqYALcaI&feature=youtu.be

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWFR0-yLh9w&feature=youtu.be

  • 10 Oct 2020 1:55 PM
    Reply # 9296105 on 9192575

    Ed and Debby, sending my thanks to each of you for providing options and ideas about overwintering techniques.  I especially appreciate all the links and references, and the simple solutions too.  THANK YOU

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