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Author Topic: Overwintering Nucs  (Read 1488 times)

Offline RZRBCK BEE

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Overwintering Nucs
« on: February 20, 2012, 03:27:23 pm »
Does anyone overwinter nucs in the waxed cardboard nucs like the ones made by Jester? Is it a good idea or should they be kept in wooden nucs because they would probably retain heat much better? Thanks

Offline Vance G

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Re: Overwintering Nucs
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2012, 04:32:54 pm »
I would think they would be pretty cold.  Would you insulate them some way?  I wouldn't dream of it, but I am at the north edge of the country.

Offline hardwood

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Re: Overwintering Nucs
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2012, 08:37:47 pm »
Jester's nucs are coroplast (corrugated plastic). They last a lot longer than the cardboard ones but overheat in the summer. We use them for splitting because they are so easily moved but move the bees into deep 10 framers as soon as we can during the summer. Heat gain is too much so I'd imagine heat loss would be as well.

Scott
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Offline BlueBee

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Re: Overwintering Nucs
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2012, 09:00:34 pm »
Scott and Vance make good points.  If you want to experiment with the cardboard nucs, I would try putting a 1” thick foam shell over them.  That gives you 5 times the insulation value of wood; keeping the heat in during the winter and sun out during the summer.

Offline FRAMEshift

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Re: Overwintering Nucs
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2012, 01:41:01 pm »
I know folks who have overwintered in them in central North Carolina.   I would put them in the shade in summer and maybe put some insulation on the top in winter.
"You never can tell with bees."  --  Winnie-the-Pooh