More Insulated Hives!

[@JustBees]

Insulate an air cap around the hives too. I did open bottom bee cabinets and it’s stabilized the air around the hive. Keeps them settled if it’s 70 or it’s 20.. which it seems like it does week to week. Add some mesh bags of water absorbing poly crystals to control moisture. Use VERY little. The expand intensely.

[@gallowaylights]

I wrapped some of my 2" foam in pvc vinal. I noticed bees still get inside foam if they find a gap. It's insulated year round.

[@mudsongs]

Yup. If there's space for the bees to get into it, they'll find a way.

[@LittleRiverBees-or6qp]

This is about how my 2 hives are insulated. I am using 2 inch foam board instead of styrofoam. I left the inner covers on and blocked up any holes in them. I had them on throughout the summer and they did great in the heat my hives never bearded. Good luck and we shall see in the spring how they did.

[@mudsongs]

I don't think there's any reason beehives can't be insulated all year round. The insulation keeps them warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. This past summer (2024), I left a hard piece of insulation on the top of all of my hives in the summer (with no top ventilation) and it worked out well. It doesn't hurt that I had healthy queens, but it never hurts to have healthy queens.

[@LittleRiverBees-or6qp]

@@mudsongs It's a warm 53 day today in Southern Maine and both of my hives had bees out flying! So far So good.

[@LittleRiverBees-or6qp]

@@mudsongs this video shows how I have my hives done up for winter. kzbin.infoSAmPV-Upo1U

[@JustBees]

Insulate an air cap around the hives too. I did open bottom bee cabinets and it’s stabilized the air around the hive. Keeps them settled if it’s 70 or it’s 20.. which it seems like it does week to week. Add some mesh bags of water absorbing poly crystals to control moisture. Use VERY little. The expand intensely.