Strategies for overwintering of bee hives in Montana has been a point of discussion for over 100 years. The photo illustrates a bee shed constructed on the outside of a farm building. Additional straw and a wooden front were added to the shed after the picture was taken. Slots in the front were cut to line up with the front opening of the bee hives, to allow for 'cleansing flights' during mild weather. For those not inclined to add on a bee shed, Benton describes the construction of a "chaff" hive, one that has double walls 3"-8" apart and filled with straw, canvas, or ground cork. Today, beekeepers have replaced the "chaff" hive with hive quilts or waxed cardboard covers. Some of us still use straw.
David:
ReplyDeleteMost old chaff hives were discarded due to the bees not coming out on warm days. One thing we are trying is insulation on three sides or two sides.
Buck,
ReplyDeleteAre you attaching the insulation to the outside of the hive? I've wondered about using plastic straping to hold closed cell foam sheets to three sides and leaving the hive front exposed to the south. I've been reluctant to staple or nail tar paper on the outside.
The straw bales are easy, but heavy and messy in the spring. They also harbor rodents, but that hasn't been an issue inside the hive yet.