Hive insulation

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Hive insulation

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Floyd

Joined: 19 Feb 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Off-Grid North West Scottish Highlands

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 09 3:53 pm Post subject: Hive insulation
Hello, Living in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland it can get rather cold, and after loosing my single hive last year, which has been replaced and healthy. I was thinking about adding insulation board on top of the crown board. Also though of make frames just like a dummy board to add to the sides. I would use the expanded sheet insulation. Good or bad idea?

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 09 4:11 pm Post subject:
If you want to add insulation I would recommend wood shavings over the crown board. Insulation sheet will block the air flow & you will get a build up of condensation. Bees can stand a large amount of cold but damp will kill them regardless of temp. Wood shavings will breathe so you wont have that problem.

oliver90owner

Joined: 11 Jul 2009
Posts: 85

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 09 3:51 pm Post subject:

Floyd,

Not so far up the UK (Lincs) but I might ask what hive type, floor type, how wintered, site topography, colony strength , etc.

I use expanded polystyrene sheets over (and around some) hives. All are on open mesh floors (OMFs) - although they can be part closed up if the weather turns nasty (for down here). I overwinter on just the brood.

I might not recommend that up as far north as you, if you were on OMF and on a single standard brood. I run on 14 x 12s.

I would think there should be little problem with a brood and a half or equivalent, double drood for sure, insulated well over the top and around the sides and with an OMF above, say, an empty super (well could be full of empty but drawn comb, even) which is draught-free at the bottom.

I used to hate trying to regulate top ventilation to conserve heat without suffering condensation, so OMFs were a revelation for me.

If the colony is short a frame or two of stores, I would want to fill that space in the hive with either (an) insulated dummy(ies) at the end(s), or better still insulated dividers sealed at the tops.

Tavascarow does not mention either how much wood shavings(s)he uses, their climate or the amount of ventilation they give through the crownboard. That information would be good and apparently works well.

Expanded sheet isulation is fine for over the crownboard if you are arranging adequate bottom ventilation, but would need protection from the bees if used for insulated dividers/dummies. Don't forget access if using top to floor dividers!

Externally, any insulation will need good fixing and obviously must not be water absorbent. I use well-fitted expanded polystyrene building board mostly fixed on with ratchet straps, with plastic corners to spread the load. That may not be adequate in your area.

I would be very reluctant to go into the hive at this time of the year to replace frames with dummies, if the colony is clustered.

A question might be: what was the cause for the hive loss last year? Lack of adequate stores, reaching the available stores, varroah, other ailments, damp inside the hive. If likely to be either of the first two I would arrange for a block of candy over the brood as extra insurance.

It, too, may need extra insulation steps. If I winter with a super above the crownboard (ie roof is not below the brood /coverboard joint, I always make sure I pull the top boxes tight to the brood with ratchet straps or over-centre fasteners, pulling it all very tight together.

Hope this helps. I know how difficult it can be with only one colony - you just can't afford to lose even one! I was short of colonies at one stage of my beekeeping.

Regards, RAB

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