Winter solar heating of hives

[qa33010]

After seeing BWranglers site a few months back I just had a question.

Though I don't need it here is it possible in the northern states or Canada if you have a plexiglass or single pane glass cut as the inner cover or as both inner cover and telescoping lid would this help heat the hive up enough to allow the bees to move around as needed for food?

This is not meant for use during the entire winter but used only as needed. Maybe covered with a slide in piece of plywood over the top. One problem that may be brought up is moisture, but on BWranglers' site he mentioned that the vapor was acutually a boon for the bees as a water source during the winter. Or glass is too brittle in the winter. Maybe sun angle is too low for an upper. If so maybe a side panel like Jon McFadden has on his TBH?

Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

David

[Joseph Clemens]

I would be afraid that there could be so much solar gain that some of the combs could melt down and the bees wouldn't think it winter any more. Evaporative cooling doesn't work so well when there isn't any free water available.

[qa33010]

Good point.  What if there was a way to cover the glass?  Not complicated, maybe a slot in the frame above the cover glass to close up.  Especially on days where it may get above 20 degrees farenheit (-1 sp) and sunny.  Do you think this may help?  Thanks!

    David

Point taken on the evaporation.  Thanks again Joseph!

[Finsky]

Here in Finland sun is so low that it hardly crawls  onto the sky. There are times when sun is away 2 moths.  Light time is about 4 hours per day at the middle of winter.

Bees get well when they stay still in they hives. There is no reason to change that. Some like that bees are pets. but I have seen that it is most nasty to bees. Just awfull  :shock:  Home pig is then better. It does not have sting.