Beekeeping | Is A Quilt Box Worth It Or Worthless?

[@Rinahugo]

Tilt your hives 3 degrees to the front and any top moisture will flow to the front of the hive and out the entrance. A benifit is the bees willl use the moisture if needed.

[@wildbadrehna5780]

quilt boxes and candy boards sound interesting , but I've never tried them. in central WI , I don't winter feed , don't top vent , and bees come thru fine . I do know a guy up north that uses the quilt boxes and they seem to work for him.

[@beek]

Good to know things are working out well for your approach!

[@sledmaker02]

I'm from Northern WI and I use a quilt box and a candy shim and so far I have had several years of success in wintering my bees.

[@billyboy952]

when i first started bee keeping, i did not know about quilt boxes. about 5-6 years ago after i lost most of my hives to freeze and thaw moisture problems I bought quilt boxes for all my hives. I have never had any more moisture problems in my hives. a very valuable item for the bees.

[@RobinPoe]

In the Pacific Northwest moisture is more of a concern than cold. Most beekeepers use quilt boxes here. I just added quilt boxes (after waiting for a break in the rain), and there were already droplets forming on the inner cover of one hive. I also added garden covers. Most people think of them as decorative, but here the pitched roof and eaves help to shed the rain away from the hive and keep the landing board dry. So, here the quilt boxes are definitely worth it.

[@dougstucki8253]

Good to see you on here too, fellow Western Washington beekeeper! Couldn't agree more! And after seeing Etienne Tardif talk about his insulation approach, I decided to try that with two hives. I still have the quilt boxes full of wool on top, but I also added about R15 insulation all the way around. This last week with all the rain and cool evenings they never went below 75 degrees, so I doubt there is much condensation happening inside. I'll be checking that shortly.

[@dougstucki8253]

Great stuff! Owning several Warre hives is what helped me develop my Langstroth overwinter technique. I vent my quilt box, but instead of using wood chips or burlap I use raw wool. Not only does it wick moisture out, but it also insulates and keeps them warm. The very top of the wool might be damp, but right above the cluster is warm and dry. Below my quilt box I have a 1" feeding shim so I can put fondant or dry sugar right on top of the frames above the cluster. The quilt box goes on top of the feeding shim to wick away moisture. I found this setup was consistently 20-30 degrees warmer than the outside air, so the bees were nice dry, and cozy.

[@beek]

Interesting

[@mattdaddy5]

I use a 2 inch shim between the hive body and quilt box to put the candy board and pollen patty in. It works.

[@gordonmaurer5236]

David, For years I have used a blanket (quilt) box on my hives. I live in Michigan with weather is like that in your home state. My boxes have #8 hardware cloth attached to the sides of the box slightly above the bottom for bee space. A piece of cotton cloth lays on the hardware cloth to catch very small sawdust particles that may fall through the cedar chips, this set up keeps the honey frames clean. The cedar chips are hated by wax moths and loved by the bees. Holes are drilled on all four sides of the boxes near the top to vent off moisture. These holes are covered inside with window screen to keep unwanted bugs out. Above the blanket box is a peaked roof outer cover. It has a insulated floor, screened vents full length of the eves, vent holes at the top of the fount and rear to let heat out in the summer. The temperature above the cedar chips, in near zero degrees outside is in the 70 degree to 80 degree range. The upper 1 to 2 inches of chips become damp just in the very corners of the box under weather extremes. I've had a 100% survival rate for years now with this setup, There is more to this story. PM me if you have any questions.

[@lindafoofoo]

Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into producing these very helpful beekeeping videos. As the old adage goes, however, "Ask five beekeepers the same question and you will get six or seven different answers." I have used a "quilt box" off and on for several years. I have just one hive. I started back in 2011 just to provide my garden with pollinators and help with the decline of our honey bee population. The times I have used the quilt box, the hive did well, coming out of winter fairly strong. Other times, without the box, results have been mixed. My take on the quilt box is somewhat different. I build my box about 5" tall with an inch and a half hole at opposite ends with screening stapled over the holes. I attach a 3/4"x3/4" cleat on the inside of the box, all the way around, about 1" from the bottom. I then staple #8 mesh onto the cleat. I place a layer of burlap over the wire mesh on the inside all the way around. This is followed by an inch or so of cedar shavings, and a final few layers of burlap. I have read that cedar has some anti-mite properties. Since this box usually works well, I will keep using it. BTW... I built my own custom hive from 2 layers of 3/4" pine with 2" of Styrofoam sandwiched in-between. First year for the insulated hive, Started with a local nuc that exploded with growth and honey. Was able to extract 2 mediums while leaving plenty of stores for the "girls". It will be interesting to see how they fare with these upgrades. PS I also tape all the joints between supers with Gorilla tape, just to be extra safe. Keep up the good work!

[@BlaineNay]

I agree your emphasis on wintering strong colonies with mites and diseases well under control. I see far too many failures due to reliance on gimmicks (quilt boxes, non-Langstroth hives, foundationless, small-cell, wrapping, insulation, slatted racks, etc.) instead of good management. If you want to know what equipment to use and how to manage bees, watch what successful commercial beekeepers do. They do/use what works and is efficient.

[@jeffthomas7549]

Good Video. I did the same here. Used quilt boxes 1 year on 3 of my hives. Candy boards on 3 hives and news paper on top of frames with sugar on the news paper. 9 healthy hives I'm in south west part of W.Va. the 3 quilt boxes did ok but the cloth stayed damp. Causing a little mold issue. 3 Candy boards did good with no issues to speak of. 3 news paper hives stayed dry all winter. But left over sugar was a mess to clean up falling in to the hive. Candy boards that also double as a sugar water board for early spring and fall feeding is my favorite. I feed sugar water in my hives with 1 gallon buckets and empty deep box.

[@stanleyschafer4232]

Thank you David for your helpful comments on quilt boxes. You are a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing your videos with us. 🇺🇸

[@keithdiaz8166]

I have a 3” hole in the middle of my quilt box which has an upper entrance and stays on all year. I place burlap in the box which does a decent job of allowing just enough air to move and also absorb moister. The 3” hole creates a thermal column through which the bees travel up and down to feed. I usually feed the bees with some form of carb during the winter. Sugar mixed with small portions of water and vinegar works well to absorb moisture in the hive. The moisture helps the bees digest the sugar.

[@heatherwilliams1394]

My quilt box (used one 1 of 3 hives) has failed me twice, consecutive yrs. It seems to DRAW moisture in from outside thus making my girls constantly wet and cold. The two other hives with Plexi inner cover with vent and telescoping cover have survived. I'm in central north WA on the border with Canada. Cheers.

[@1965copester]

I have not lost a colony here in North Arkansas the last 4 winters since I started using a quilt box over the top of dry sugar that also collects the moisture.

[@jamestownsendjrtbees3226]

I am still new at this, 2nd year. I got my 2 hives from year 1 through winter and now have seven strong colonies going into winter. I built my own quilt boxes last year for the 2 hives. 3/4" pine and plywood with 4 holes around the perimeter and 4 holes around the outside bottom of the quilt board. I put a 2" shim directly on the top box where I put sugar bricks for winter then the quilt board full of burlap. The quilt board has a small upper entrance for winter. Then 1" foam board then top cover. It worked for my 2 hives last winter so I made enough for all seven. Plus bee cozy around each hive. I am crossing my fingers. Also I have the mites under control. I also tilt the hives forward more than normal for the winter.

[@grubbm4927]

Love your videos!! I use a candy board and a quilt box. Experimented a bunch and ended up using a 2” candy board with about a 3” strip of no candy down the middle. So the excess moisture can still reach the quilt box. I change the shavings 2-3 times a winter. I’m in New Hampshire

[@kentuckybob]

Thanks for all your teachings. I am a new bee keeper got my first swarm this past spring . I have and continue to learn so much from your videos.. I am going to consider it a major accomplishment it my bees make it through to spring. Again thanks for what you do.

[@blacktalonbased]

Was excited to hear that you were making this video from your other video. I've had a lot of success with ventilation/ quilt boxes in getting bees through winter. I'm in central ohio. I make mine out of 2x4s and hardware cloth.

[@beek]

Great to hear

[@andreyzagorulko7778]

Hi David, I am first year beekeeping. I really like your idea of quilt boxes that you have made. I have done same thing to my hive. Do bees get enough water in winter with quilt boxes on top? All warm air goes through the shavings and becomes condensation, but bees left with no water inside the hive. Too much water in the hive is bad, but how to provide them enough water during the winter since condensation is formed on top of the shavings?

[@sledmaker02]

I have been using the Warre Hives for the last 4 years and have modified them to work in my area of Wisconsin (Northern). I also made quilt boxes for the langs that I have for this year because I tried NUCs this last spring. For up here the quilt boxes work best and feeding them in the winter I make a feeding shim that fits between the quilt box and the top of the hive. There i place bee candy or bee fondant and the bees have access to it when needed.

[@scottheckert4721]

I use hamster bedding. Also have screened small holes in side to allow airflow to dry. Also have a spacer above to allow moisture to rise. Never had my shavings wet but get ice crystals on the inside of my telescoping cover

[@stephenluna7932]

Would those work to help in areas with high humidity in the summer?

[@stevenmoody-MoodyHivesandHome]

I modified a super with a removable screen. The screen sits 3inches up inside the super that way I can add some sugar boats or do a mountain camp feed later in March. I really enjoy your videos thank you for all the time and hard work you put into your channel.

[@glorianelson6468]

Good video. I am in central Wisconsin. I have a candy board on and yesterday before the snow I put on a quilt board. Gonna try one this year. I figured what do I have to loose. Also put up wind breaks. Hope they survive this winter. Thanks again. I learned a lot

[@beek]

Let me know how you are using both a candy board and a quilt box

[@Warspite03]

Thanks, only discovered the channel today and was in the middle of searching about quilt boxes on Langstroth hives and this came up.

[@DBarnim]

Super video as always, quick question is your online course work along when you have time or is it specific times and schedule?

[@beek]

I'll have to make a video answer questions about my online classes. You can watch my video courses at your leisure, any time for as long as you want. It's up to your own individual schedule.

[@westfarmandbees]

This sounds like a version of a Vivaldi Board. I am a first year beekeeper and I’ve decided to try using Kraftpaper on the frames to hold dry sugar. This is, as I’ve been told, to help absorb moisture and give them food for the winter if they need it. I placed a 3/4” shim and then the inner cover. On top of the inner cover is a 2 1/2” box with vent holes in the front and back, filled with burlap acting like a Vivaldi board. I’ve put a coroplex wrap around the hives and then placed 2” polyiso foam around that and over the inner cover. I’m hoping this is enough for the bees this winter here in East Central Indiana. What are your thoughts on this setup?

[@beek]

I hope it works for you. I'm not a fan of dry table sugar. It is very hard/crystalized and so the bees need a lot of moisture to turn the dry sugar into liquid. We designed out WBK to become edible to the bees by using their own heat and condensation.

[@rbell4201]

I've read burlap does not absorb moisture very well. I put a single layer of burlap over hardware cloth and then pine shavings on top of the burlap.

[@dougstucki8253]

You might be better off putting the inner cover on top of your vented box so condensation doesn't build up on that inner cover. They'll have enough condensation on the sides to use to dissolve the sugar if need be.

[@SpiritualButNotReligious]

I have quilt boxes & shims under them for feeding, works great and I am cold eastern Canada! Mites should not be in the equation for using a quilt box or not or any other system for that matter,! It is simple, don't have mites, kill them all ;-)

[@denisepaul-phillips1834]

How do we get candy boards

[@hodgeshomestead9639]

Thank you so much I love watching these videos! As a new beekeeper there’s so many methods and opinions! Thanks for the info 😊

[@beek]

Glad it was helpful

[@debbieherbaugh217]

I did all the winter prep but things went south. Not sure they will survive. Sad

[@richardmadsen3149]

Great video

[@1954hoser]

will ceder shavings work??

[@beek]

It should

[@johnbarlow5835]

Who can you use a quilt box when you use candy board

[@beek]

Can't because the candy is the quilt box absorbing moisture.

[@christajayne1160]

Another helpful video! Do you cover mite control in your on line course? Can’t wait for the sale to purchase the course!

[@beek]

Yes, I do cover mite control, and I have one whole online course dedicated to mite control. 50% off on Black Friday!!

[@christajayne1160]

@@beek oh good. I think that is the one thing that makes me a little nervous about starting beekeeping!

[@98honeybees92]

I never wrap

[@g10prodriver76]

Its a bottom board with a cutting board built in😂

[@loudimel5068]

Thanks David love your worth it or worthless series

[@beek]

Awesome Lou, thanks! I try to be open minded and fair.

[@kimmiejoclark6943]

I know you can buy candy for the bees. Is it possible to make your own? My granddaughter loves to bake and a challenge.

[@beek]

Yes, it is alittle tricky for some. It took us 2 years to perfect the recipe because the building we make them in changes temp and humidity with each batch, so we monitor those and adjust the amounts of water in the recipe and the temps and burn time. Once we learned that trick we can get the same results each time.

[@debbieherbaugh217]

My hive has a low population! I’m ready to quit! Done spending $ on this hobby!

[@VidKatMA1]

Sad to hear. Did you feed them? Did you re-queen? May be time to re-queen.

[@chuckgross6024]

Congrats on that video! I think your content is great! Very informative. Keep up the great work!

[@beek]

Thanks Chuck

[@brendawydeven2934]

That's a cute hive. I have foundationless in my hive. I purchased a couple of your candy boards and it's getting pretty cold in NE Wisconsin and needed to winterize so I used an inner cover with screened parts. Some pine pet bedding around rapid round feeder with dry sugar in it, above that I have 2 inch foam then roof. I also am feeding winter patty and hive alive fondant above the frames and a bee hive cozy. I hope it works. May just save candy boards till next year or when they run out.

[@beek]

Sounds great!

[@reck9953]

Excellent video!

[@beek]

Hey Rich, glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@nedrascarpelli8365]

Hello David, just learned about a quilt box last night at the st.Louis beekeepers meeting, I’m a candy board girl myself my question is my daughter lives in Waterloo Illinois on 7 acres that is not sprayed with any type of chemicals. her bees population is very good but her might load is high and so is her hive Beatles when we were in there a week ago any suggestions on lowering those and what to use I think next week it might be maybe a day the 70s ? here in St. Louis one day or so… loving your videos I watch them over and over have been beekeeping for five years and have gotten my two daughters interested as well, my daughter in Waterloo Illinois has five hives, my daughter in St. Louis has seven hives… It’s been a wonderful hobby and a great family experience as we pull in the entire family for extraction day… thank you so much for this video!

[@beek]

Nice!

[@russellsamson1828]

Love your views on worth it or worthless, I get your,pros and cons. Thank you. No bees yet, next year. Planning on taking your on line class, to be ready.

[@beek]

Terrific!

[@TheStrappygirl]

Thank you 😊 I was struggling with this.

[@beek]

Glad to help

[@petpilgrimgoose]

Great! Thanks! ~Adam and Mary, first year beekeepers in NH

[@beek]

Awesome!

[@atharvaphalle3745]

hope we get to 100k soon!!!!!!

[@beek]

Oh my gosh it is so hard to get to 100,000! Thank you for being a subscriber for a month now. I appreciate it!

[@atharvaphalle3745]

@@beek thanks for giving me your precious time