…Come again another day – maybe overnight during the
inevitable heatwave in July, please?! We’ve had quite enough of this wet and
cold start to the year, thank you. During the winter months our primary concern
is how we can best protect our bees, with insulation and ventilation being of
supreme importance. Damp is actually a worse problem to have than cold, as
mould and bacteria can thrive and lead to colony health issues. Hives can
become damp when condensation forms due to the humidity caused by the bees’
breath meeting cold surfaces (e.g. the underside of the crown-board). It’s
astonishing to learn that a colony of bees can produce up to 26 litres of water
over the course of the winter months! Even though bees are experts at controlling
the temperature of the colony, beekeepers might need to take measures to help provide
a healthy environment.
