I have been playing with insulation since 2017 in my nuc yards. My best results were last winter. I wintered my nucs in 4 frame boxes, 3 high, that's 4 over 4 over 4. I have four colonies on a pallet and wrapped them as one unit. R15 on top and R10 on sides. The insulation only covers the top 2 hive bodies of each nuc. I noticed on sunny days that the lowest box is not covered with Styrofoam, which can collect solar heat, and we know heat rises. In comparison to the two deep nucs, not all were 3 deep high, the two deep pallets were completely covered with foam, and they stayed clustered on sunny days vs. the others that had no sign of any cluster. The spring growth of those nucs collecting solar gains was incredible. They grew into 10 frame colonies and a nuc split off by May, which is incredibly for my area. Insulation is a double-edged sword, but I found a way around it.
Interesting stuff! After decades of keeping honeybees I only began insulating my hives about four years ago. The benefits I've witnessed have made it worth the extra time and expense: fewer winter losses, less honey consumed, and very large brood nests in late winter/early spring for these VSH Italians.
Great description of a Hive and how it functions in Winter. Not a critique of you or your information, I think you do a great job with your collection of data and presentation. Why do people think a "condensing" hive is something new, Condensing is a function of all hives? Many beekeepers in the Colder Climate like you, have used these style of systems for a very long time. They just used different materials then we are able to with out modern materials. Did beekeeping move away from the older techniques? Thanks for another excellent video, Blessed Days...
Yep... it has been around since the early 1900s. Here is one of my favourites: publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/aac-aafc/agrhist/A12-2-74-1926-eng.pdf
I'm assuming that playing around with your spreadsheet criteria (backwards) can also help determine what my R Value targets should be locally to stay in the "green" (cell G30 for Singles). So if our local avg winter temp is 0 degC the R values required may be lower than someone with an Avg at -10 degC... am I interpreting this correctly? Also - is there a flip side to this for Summer temps, or it's not the same modeling approach? Thanks
Hello. It is great information. I would like to hear your opinion about insolation beside the bees cluster. I think if you use insolation inside the beehive, then it can be better than outside. Thank you.
Depends how practical that is. Sides are easy. Just add foam or extra wood boards but they need to be protected so the bees don’t chew at them. Front and back walls are difficult without modification of the hive boxes.
If you have time, stop by RP Beeworks booth. Would love to talk to you about insulated hives. We have been doing it in Texas for years to help with heat.
I will be attending your Friday 1pm microscopy class at NAHBE, i am considering starting to build all of my boxes out of 2x lumber this round. Would love to discuss if you have time while at NAHBE. THX. P.S. We are in central Oklahoma.
Everytime i think of you wintering your hives up there, im amazed. I love how you use physics to assist where possible
makes sense to me to insulate since wild colonies often live in tree cavities which much has some decent enough R value with only one small opening.
I have been playing with insulation since 2017 in my nuc yards. My best results were last winter. I wintered my nucs in 4 frame boxes, 3 high, that's 4 over 4 over 4. I have four colonies on a pallet and wrapped them as one unit. R15 on top and R10 on sides. The insulation only covers the top 2 hive bodies of each nuc. I noticed on sunny days that the lowest box is not covered with Styrofoam, which can collect solar heat, and we know heat rises. In comparison to the two deep nucs, not all were 3 deep high, the two deep pallets were completely covered with foam, and they stayed clustered on sunny days vs. the others that had no sign of any cluster. The spring growth of those nucs collecting solar gains was incredible. They grew into 10 frame colonies and a nuc split off by May, which is incredibly for my area. Insulation is a double-edged sword, but I found a way around it.
That is why, insulation is dangerous in larger volume colonies to bee numbers. They become ice boxes!! More is not always better.
Interesting stuff! After decades of keeping honeybees I only began insulating my hives about four years ago. The benefits I've witnessed have made it worth the extra time and expense: fewer winter losses, less honey consumed, and very large brood nests in late winter/early spring for these VSH Italians.
We appreciate all the great information, Etienne. Thank you for doing these videos and have a great winter. 🐝🐝
Glad to help out!
Great description of a Hive and how it functions in Winter.
Not a critique of you or your information, I think you do a great job with your collection of data and presentation.
Why do people think a "condensing" hive is something new, Condensing is a function of all hives?
Many beekeepers in the Colder Climate like you, have used these style of systems for a very long time. They just used different materials then we are able to with out modern materials. Did beekeeping move away from the older techniques?
Thanks for another excellent video, Blessed Days...
Yep... it has been around since the early 1900s. Here is one of my favourites: publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/aac-aafc/agrhist/A12-2-74-1926-eng.pdf
@@etiennetardif thanks I'll check it out, I really do enjoy your information break downs.
Etienne I like to ask back, do you insulate all the walls of your home? Great numbers to reflect on. Thank you.
Hmmmm.... don't you get your drinking water from the faucet? Even in Minnesota.
I'm assuming that playing around with your spreadsheet criteria (backwards) can also help determine what my R Value targets should be locally to stay in the "green" (cell G30 for Singles). So if our local avg winter temp is 0 degC the R values required may be lower than someone with an Avg at -10 degC... am I interpreting this correctly? Also - is there a flip side to this for Summer temps, or it's not the same modeling approach? Thanks
Yes correct!! I will have a look to see how we could apply it to summer heat!!
Hello. It is great information. I would like to hear your opinion about insolation beside the bees cluster. I think if you use insolation inside the beehive, then it can be better than outside. Thank you.
Depends how practical that is. Sides are easy. Just add foam or extra wood boards but they need to be protected so the bees don’t chew at them. Front and back walls are difficult without modification of the hive boxes.
If you have time, stop by RP Beeworks booth. Would love to talk to you about insulated hives. We have been doing it in Texas for years to help with heat.
will do!!
I will be attending your Friday 1pm microscopy class at NAHBE, i am considering starting to build all of my boxes out of 2x lumber this round. Would love to discuss if you have time while at NAHBE. THX.
P.S. We are in central Oklahoma.
Great, see you there. Let's talk!