Upper entrance bees keep sealing shut ?

[Bee-Bop]

My upper entrance on one hive, the bees continually seal off the past couple of weeks, night time temp. lows have been in the high 50;s low 60's, days 70's & 80's.
Opening is 3/8 by 1 1/2 in.

I dig it open with my pocket knife every couple of days.
These are new hive box's, so no bad air leaks.
Other hive has never been sealed off.

I use photo bucket can't figure out pic. posting on this forum, or I'd send a pic.

Thanks

Bee-Bop

[Cindi]

Bee-Bop, I wonder if the bees have sealed off MOST of the entrance and left only a bee space, but you think it is totally sealed off????.  That would be OK, there could still be some room for condensation to escape.  Once the bees cluster, that space could be left more open by your removing the propolis with your knife.  The bees know best. Perhaps the colony is a smaller size and they feel that they MUST seal off most of the airway?  You will hear more comments, but these are my thoughts, great day in this beautiful life, Cindi

[Michael Bush]

I'd let them do what they want.  If you get some deep snow, you might want to open it up enough that one bee can ge out so they can fly on a warm day.