Sure they can. I’m in southeast Pennsylvania and it gets cold. I’ve overwintered some colonies in single four frame nucs. It’s mite control, low mites from summer, and winter bees. I didn’t and don’t insulate my equipment
I'm in SE Texas and it's a bit different. This year we felt with extreme heat and drought. I'm fairly new to beekeeping and I got a crash course in keeping bees alive through the summer heat and dearth due to no rain. We had low rain fall in winter and spring followed by extreme heat even for Texas and no rain. This lead to little nectar or pollen for the bees. It's late November now and all my hives are still doing good. Praying for a good year in 2024 because I intend to expand considerably.
Beekeeping is local for sure. Environmental conditions can vary dramatically which will have an impact on your hive management. Mentoring with a local beekeeper who has sustainable winter survival rates is always something to consider.
Good points covered - especially now that the topic of beehive ventilation vs condensing is becoming popular on youtube again. So I used to live in the Philly area and now live in central Pa. There is a huge difference in climate with Philadelphia being much warmer than central Pa due to those eastern subtropic flows. My point is this, beekeeping is local as everyone says, and a beekeeper might be only 100-200 miles away from you but could have an entirely different winter climate than you. Example, in this case I seriously doubt successfully overwintering single 4 frame nucs in my central Pa location; however, I do overwinter 2x4 nucs every winter with no problem, the climate is drastically colder here. But I might just try wintering that single 4 frame nuc one winter and if successful could be a game changer. Anyhow good video and I subbed.
I have also in all my colonies in the winter I will put a extra board under the back of the hive to tilt it even more forward. Because the bees need water in the winter an if there is an water in the roof it will run under the roof an down the front wall an not rain down on the bees . I use extra feeding as in sugar bricks an the bees can use the water for the bricks . That has worked great for me an never lost a colony because of being wet inside. Thanks
Please clarify where you are in the U.S. Because you may not need insulation where you are, but 2 states to the north of you it's a vital component of successful overwintering.
We are located in SE Pennsylvania where in January and February our high temperature are between 35-40 with lows in the 20s. We occasionally will have evenings as low as 10 degrees. I always use 1-2 inches of top insulation, year round. We are aware that many northern USA and Canadian beekeepers use insulated wall hives. One can use foam board insulation around the keepers hive if you would like.
Leon, They are not for sale yet. If you go to our homepage, www.thekeepershive.com, and sign up for future updates on our indiegogo crowd funding campaign where you will be able to preorder them. George
You’re not talking to Southerners when you say you have to insulate the hives. I have 7 years of experience, never insulated any hive and I’ve never lost a hive in the fall or winter. I don’t know anyone in the southeast that insulates their hives. Maybe you should take into consideration the region the beekeeper is located in when making your videos.
Hey Don, the title says surviving winter, if you don’t get a winter why watch the video? I get a winter and his video gives sound advice! Maybe a southerner should reconsider commenting on overwintering bees!
like tom seeley describes ,typical tree cavity,generally has endless r value on top,and much better on the sides over a langstroth, even in warmer climates insulated top covers can help even in hit summers,preventing heavy bearding,and water gathering, like fred dunn year round insulation is a good thing,during a strong flow upper vents or even offsetting suoers like gus Mitchel, can increase super filling,until robbing becomes a problem, pretty much emulating tree cavity, the bees regulate the humidity, and temps
Our primary location is in SE Pennsylvania. I have talked to many beekeepers across the USA and have learned a tremendous amount about how beekeepers manage their hives. We do mention in the video that we are located in Pennsylvania... but I agree, we could make it more clear.
