Rain, rain, go away…

…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.

In summer bees beat their wings to provide ventilation; in winter they generate heat by vibrating their thoraxes (the middle segment of their bodies). Bees living in the wild, for example in a tree hollow, can rely upon the tree itself absorbing the condensation produced by a colony, and so the bees are not affected by excess moisture. However, if bees are kept in hives (which are not wonderfully absorbent trees) steps might need to be taken to ensure there is adequate ventilation to facilitate air circulation and remove excess humidity. Care needs to be taken to ensure there isn’t excessive ventilation which will cause unwanted chilling. It’s a balancing act but we’re seeking ventilation, not drafts!

Some of our hives are on ventilated floors, ideal for the summer months, but over the winter we close them by sliding in a board underneath the floor. This has a double benefit – not only does it reduce drafts, but it acts as an ‘activity monitor’, as the wax cappings from honey stores drop onto the boards and reassure us that the colony is gradually munching through its winter rations. We can also monitor the rate of varroa mite infestation as dead mites will land on the board as part of the hive debris.

An unventilated hive can provide a warmer environment in winter, but proper insulation is required too. Absorbent material above the frames e.g. a quilt box will soak up excess water and prevent it dripping onto the bees. We use straw in our quilt boxes rather than wood shavings as it is lighter when damp and is easy to change when the need arises. We place insulation under the roof too, minimising the cold surfaces.

Other types of hive like our horizontal Layens and Kenyan hives and our vertical Warrés, have in-built methods of helping bees to control the environment within their home, but that's the subject of another blog.

As ever, monitoring the weather conditions is key and ventilation can be adjusted according the the bees' needs. We do our best not to interfere with nature's plan but sometimes, the rapidly changing weather patterns mean we choose to lend a helping hand. Let's hope Spring arrives properly, soon and then we can focus on more 'normal' activities like keeping an eye out for swarms 😊.