We are retired beekeepers from the Peace River area. The best we found is an old homestead, sheltered from prevailing winds and sunny. Four on a pallet, opposite, top entrances, plastic wraps R16 insulation around, R20 on top, big sheet of plywood overhead. Find a beeclub if you can, you can also ask the provincial apiculturalist for information about outdoor wintering.
Back in the days in eastern Europe where they had strong winters, they would dig up a hole deep enough so that its below frost line and put hives in it. Then they would cover it with branches or wooden beams. Once the snow dropped, it would create a microclimet inside allowing bees to winter just fine.
For moisture and heat loss I use roof insulation with pink R-10 built right into the telescoping top, remove the inner cover and add 1.5 inch feeder shim with top entrance. Then I wrap with tar paper, medium entrance reducer and mouse guard. I place the hives facing south with a trees west and north. This is the first place the snow leaves in the spring. I use this on double deeps and double 5 nucs.
I have 5 hives in a Temporary green house , with an exit to the outside for each. Picture his shelter but clear plastic, the bees can find there hive and the ones that fly around inside go back home at night. I am Weighing them every 30 day's to see the progress , so far the ones outside are doing better but it just got cold here.
One thing I witnessed working a vineyard for several years, cold air behaves like water. It will run and settle in low areas like a pool. Buds that were opened with pooled cold air were dead after a short time. I am not sure how this correlates with bees and seeking a "lull" to place hives in but it is something to consider.
That shelter would of been ok if it had one of them green poly tunnels with the square mesh. That way they would always have enough light to navigate. They are gonna need to do cleansing flights through out the winter. I agree with what you said. about them poor navigating indoors!
You resonate with a lot of people Ian. The beer, coffee, dinner offer stands in NY as well should you ever come to the US. Thanks for making this video and answering this question.. This was something I wondered about.
Use the garage tent to store equipment ... Free pallets covered with plyw for the floor hold alot boxes out of the weather ... I just built one 10x20x8' 200 sq foot of dry storage for under 500.00
Hi Ian, here most winter outside. Temperatures (November-March) are between 0 and -25 Celsius (32F - -13F). The worst idea is to put a roof over them to prevent them from heating up in the sun.
The wraps vino farms did seem great. I'm in the southern states, so no actually experience. He also set up wind breaks, both permanent and winter only while the permanent break developed. I don't think his winters are as bed as winter in Canada, but he seems to have really put a lot of thought into it over the years.
We are retired beekeepers from the Peace River area. The best we found is an old homestead, sheltered from prevailing winds and sunny. Four on a pallet, opposite, top entrances, plastic wraps R16 insulation around, R20 on top, big sheet of plywood overhead. Find a beeclub if you can, you can also ask the provincial apiculturalist for information about outdoor wintering.
Back in the days in eastern Europe where they had strong winters, they would dig up a hole deep enough so that its below frost line and put hives in it. Then they would cover it with branches or wooden beams. Once the snow dropped, it would create a microclimet inside allowing bees to winter just fine.
Ha, I can totally relate to the wife in the kitchen; "Are you listening to the Canadian bee guy again!???"
For moisture and heat loss I use roof insulation with pink R-10 built right into the telescoping top, remove the inner cover and add 1.5 inch feeder shim with top entrance. Then I wrap with tar paper, medium entrance reducer and mouse guard. I place the hives facing south with a trees west and north. This is the first place the snow leaves in the spring. I use this on double deeps and double 5 nucs.
-24 degrees?? People live in a place like that on purpose??
I have 5 hives in a Temporary green house , with an exit to the outside for each. Picture his shelter but clear plastic, the bees can find there hive and the ones that fly around inside go back home at night. I am Weighing them every 30 day's to see the progress , so far the ones outside are doing better but it just got cold here.
One thing I witnessed working a vineyard for several years, cold air behaves like water. It will run and settle in low areas like a pool. Buds that were opened with pooled cold air were dead after a short time. I am not sure how this correlates with bees and seeking a "lull" to place hives in but it is something to consider.
Insulating the sides and not the top is a really bad idea. All the condensation will build up on the top and rain down on the bees when it gets warm.
When I heard that crunch,,crunch ... I felt it deep in my soul... cold cold cold...
That shelter would of been ok if it had one of them green poly tunnels with the square mesh. That way they would always have enough light to navigate. They are gonna need to do cleansing flights through out the winter. I agree with what you said. about them poor navigating indoors!
Thanks for all you do for the community.
Ian, thank you all of your efforts in producing these videos, I've learned a lot from you. Thank you again
Love your videos my Canadian Neighbor. Sipping a Timmies - you're a great instructor! Joe from Romeo, Michigan, USA (But I have a Canadian GF)..
Thank you very much for another dose of great wisdom. Here in Toronto, winter 2018 was very cold and long. At least for two weeks it was -20,-30 C.
You resonate with a lot of people Ian. The beer, coffee, dinner offer stands in NY as well should you ever come to the US. Thanks for making this video and answering this question.. This was something I wondered about.
Very well explained. I'm trying the no insulation approach here in SW Iowa just working on controlling moisture.
Use the garage tent to store equipment ... Free pallets covered with plyw for the floor hold alot boxes out of the weather ... I just built one 10x20x8' 200 sq foot of dry storage for under 500.00
Hi Ian, here most winter outside. Temperatures (November-March) are between 0 and -25 Celsius (32F - -13F). The worst idea is to put a roof over them to prevent them from heating up in the sun.
The wraps vino farms did seem great. I'm in the southern states, so no actually experience. He also set up wind breaks, both permanent and winter only while the permanent break developed. I don't think his winters are as bed as winter in Canada, but he seems to have really put a lot of thought into it over the years.
Good job