Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: BlueBee on November 16, 2012, 04:33:43 pm

Title: Straw Hives
Post by: BlueBee on November 16, 2012, 04:33:43 pm

OK, and you all thought I was crazy with my foam insulation….. Here is what my neighbor is doing to over winter her bees  :)

Yep, there’s a bee hive under all that straw!

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/MichiganBee/Straw%20Hives/StrawHive1.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/MichiganBee/Straw%20Hives/StrawHive2.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/MichiganBee/Straw%20Hives/StrawHive3.jpg)

So what do you think?

Title: Re: Straw Hives
Post by: mikecva on November 16, 2012, 04:51:01 pm

Interesting!  I would have worried about lack of ventilation. Please let us know how this works out in the spring (re post the pictures for us older beeks who will not remember 'the straw hive"  :brian: ) -Mike

Title: Re: Straw Hives
Post by: Maryland Beekeeper on November 16, 2012, 05:21:31 pm

I think your neighbor is a smart lady. However I would suggest a few bricks or scrap 2x under bales and a piece of plywood or tarp on top. The straw is great dry but soon she will have big ice cubes surrounding her hive. I would guess she realizes this and just uncovered for pic but thought I'd mention it.
Cheers,
Drew

Title: Re: Straw Hives
Post by: Finski on November 16, 2012, 07:01:33 pm

.
Quite  a system.

I suppose that it rains so much in Michigan that straws are wet in winter and mouldy.

Double box over the hive would be more handy when you nurse the hive.

Seems to be open and windy place.

Title: Re: Straw Hives
Post by: jan on November 16, 2012, 08:09:49 pm

Straw gets really heavy and also moldy when wet.  Will this work?

Title: Re: Straw Hives
Post by: AllenF on November 16, 2012, 08:21:30 pm

Sheet of plywood over the top would keep it dry.   Just find a way to tie it down.