How to manage moisture in beehives over winter using moisture boards (homasote)

[@Capt_Matt]

Great info

[@lakeviewapiary]

@@Capt_Matt Thanks!

[@scottsammons7747]

In Arkansas, I never had a moisture issue. In Alaska, we try to ensure that the top of the hive is well insulated so that any condensation is on the walls and not raining down the middle of the hive.

[@MinnesotaBeekeeper]

Good job explaining for your area. That moisture board material is often used for sheathing on houses and it's called Builtrite. Spelling? Oh, don't forget to scrape all the bee poop off. Possible Nosema spores.

[@lyleroberts8123]

Where do you find the bucket bracket to hold the filter?

[@lakeviewapiary]

@@lyleroberts8123 I got them from mannlakeltd.com

[@itsokaytobeclownpilled5937]

I had a small hive find one of my empty hives. I had wax paper, sugar, and the same moisture board as you used. The little bees corpses were soaking wet. As a side note, from Sept to Nov, my little swarm made 1 1/2 frames of honey.

[@lakeviewapiary]

Did the small swarm die out on you and are they the bees you had dead and soaked? I'm sorry, it's a little early for me yet lol. Are you in support of MBs or did they not work out for you?

[@itsokaytobeclownpilled5937]

@@lakeviewapiary The bees were in a cluster between frames. They are wet and moldy. It was a small hive. They survived longer than I thought they would. I put wax paper and sugar directly on the frames. A spacer with a ventilation hole. Moistureboard and the lid. I am pro moisture absorbing.

[@lakeviewapiary]

I wonder if when they die out, moisture accumulates due to no bees circulating air. Perhaps the bees are part of the circulation. Now that I think of it, when I get a dead out, there is almost always mold.

[@itsokaytobeclownpilled5937]

@@lakeviewapiary Thanks for your help. I forgot to mention. The swarm that lived in my hive put themselves in an empty hive at the back end of the property this last September. This hive has a frame of honey in it. I am leaving the hive as it is. If a new swarm finds it, will they clean up the moldy bees or should I scrape them out?

[@lakeviewapiary]

@itsokaytobeclownpilled5937 depending where you are, I would close up that hive until you are ready to put it in use (critter proof). And yes, although not necessary, I would clean the dead bees out as best I can. They get pretty stinky, and I'm not sure if that would deter a potential swarm from moving in.

[@Lynchburgorthodontics]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@lakeviewapiary]

Happy to help! Thanks for checkin it out.

[@swamphillfarmapiary-dan810]

I use the same thing here in Upstate NY. The only difference is that I don’t allow an upper entrance. I find that the hives lose too much heat with an upper entrance. Our winters are a little worse than yours though.

[@lakeviewapiary]

Thanks for checkin in and supporting my info. Yea, it sure does get cold up there. I used to fish the salmon river. I will not be retiring to NY state lol.

[@seangalvin2168]

Thanks for the advice on how moisture boards work and to use them.

[@lakeviewapiary]

Hey Sean. You are welcome. I'm glad you had a positive take away from the video. Thanks for checking it out and for the feed back.

[@nakayla6784]

Great info thank you!

[@lakeviewapiary]

Thank You! I'm glad you found it to be helpful.

[@clarencecamara2686]

How did you put the slot in board?

[@lakeviewapiary]

Either a table router or just use a razor knife and score and scrape. The homasote is very soft.

[@FullMaxx1]

Is this about the same thing as drop ceiling panels

[@lakeviewapiary]

Different drop ceiling tiles are made from different materials. I just did my basement and they were made of pvc. I would be concerned that other tiles have a mix of different materials and I wouldn't be comfortable using them.

[@jtrappey]

Thank you so much for this video. So many people talk about how important these are but, never explain exactly how to install them properly. 🙏❤

[@lakeviewapiary]

Hey John. Thank You for checking it out. I'm glad it was helpful. Feel free to email me . [e-mail] if you have other topics or questions you'd like me to cover.

[@jtrappey]

@@lakeviewapiary Will do. You are too kind.

[@tywilson64]

Is it possible to put the fondant on top of the crown board,using a shim placing a moisture board on top of the shim them insulation then outer cover? My concerns living in cold Maine is that the fondant would prevent the moisture from reaching the moisture board

[@lakeviewapiary]

I've never tried it, but I don't think the fondant will prevent moisture from venting out. However, if moisture is that much of a concern, I would suggest mountain camp sugar feeding instead of fondant. The granular sugar absorbs moisture. Shim, mountain camp, inner cover, moisture board outer cover.

[@tywilson64]

@@lakeviewapiary thanks!

[@waynerathwell7063]

Is there a need to have the tunnel cut out in the homasote board?

[@lakeviewapiary]

I don't think so. I think the bees have enough room to exit if need be. In fact, i believe I've seen the boards at be suppliers both ways.

[@jamestownsendjrtbees3226]

I forgot to mention I tip the colonies a little more forward than they already are for the winter so hopefully if water does accumulate it won't drip down the middle of the colony and run down the front wall. Do you do that as well?

[@lakeviewapiary]

Yes, I do. I was given that advice my first year and stuck with it.

[@jamestownsendjrtbees3226]

Another great video. I have been using Vivaldi boxes I made with burlap for 2 winters now with no losses but lots of moisture. I think they let out too much heat and the top of the hive is too cold. This winter I will be doing what you do but I am using 3/4" plywood instead of the homeosote board with the small upper entrance to release some moisture. I would like to get away from the Vivaldi boxes and burlap, it takes up a lot of room. Good luck with your bees this winter.

[@lakeviewapiary]

Thanks for the kind words, James. I really appreciate it.

[@tywilson64]

You too!