I would also concur that a regular foam hive/nuc is all that is necessary for a good sized, and prepared colony. If however you have a small colony (as indicated in the original post) and you live in Minnesota, a normal foam nuc is probably not going to cut it.
I haven’t seen the case where electric heat in the fall is beneficial yet. In the fall the bees are near maximum in numbers and still keeping brood at 95F. If they’re in a foam hive, that combination of population and brooding keeps the hives on the warm side into December.
just add more insulation
Your boath guys are so far from practical
"I haven’t seen the case where electric heat in the fall is beneficial yet"
I just told that it is. You need not to se. Propably you have not tried even.
" In the fall the bees are near maximum in numbers"
Of course it is evebn if has one frane of bees.
If I joind 2 one frame of bees, then they have again maximum.
"brooding keeps the hives on the warm side into December. "
Our brooding should stop in September.
If brooding continues in Finland to December, that hive is dead.
Bluebee, your bees genepool is not suitable to Michigan climate or your accelerate brooding with your thanks giving honey balls.
"Add insulation"
I have insulated hives. If it is not enough, the colony is better to die.
.
Something to learn from you guys, no!
You are willing to learn something, - NO
So I quite from here before I am kicked to my as