April Snow

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8:35am. Here’s what I see when I look out the window.

snow-april-IMG_7172

12 thoughts on “April Snow”

  4. phillip, do you dip your hives in wax or do you just not paint them? curious as i think i will be dipping mine into wax to give it a try

    • Hi Tim,

      We don’t dip our hives in wax. I’m not sure how to even begin to dip them in wax. Most of components ordered from Beemaid have a wax coating: bottom boards, inner covers, underside of top covers, plastic foundation. I suppose they spray on the wax. I’d like to know how to do that.

      But the hives do not have a wax coating on the inside (or outside).

      We painted the outsides of our hives with linseed oil because we liked the natural wood look and we didn’t want to put any stain full of chemicals on the hives.

      But this year we’ve decided to paint the hives because the linseed oil as a protector just doesn’t seem to last. I think we’re using a vinyl paint of some kind, but I can’t remember exactly. All I know is that it’s more or less safe for the bees.

      • I watched a video on youtube and it was interesting, I spoke with a large beekeeper here on PEI and he mentioned that he does his hive boxes, top and bottom boards etc all in wax. Great idea, paraffin wax mixed with micro-crystaline wax. here is the link

  5. Tim, I don’t paint mine either, I just use a shellac ( thompson clear deck proofer) just because I paint tole paintings on mine of bees and flowers. I wax the bottom board though really well

  6. I am curious about the box underneath the cover with the holes. What is it and its use? Thanks.

    • Hi Mil,

      The cover with the holes is a ventilator rim:

      http://goo.gl/rdQAI

      We installed them above the inner covers a couple weeks ago. We’re still experimenting with them, but we plan to use them along with screened inner covers and screened bottom boards to keep the hives well ventilated this summer.

  7. Hi all,

    Much like Phil I use the ventilation rims as well but I do not add them to the colony until daytime temps are consistnaly above 15°C, typically mid June. That is just a personal choice as the inside of the box with brood it typically 35°C anyway so as ambient temperaure increases the additional air flow helps with moisture removal. But personally I feel if put on to early in the season the bees have to work harder and consume more carbs to maintain core temperature due to the extra ventilation.

    If to soon they consume more carbs to heat the colony, if put on to late or not at all they have to work hard fanning to remove the excess moisture. It’s a balancing act and what works for eveyone is different.

    Cheers

  8. Looks like I should have kept the insulated inner covers on the hives.

    It’s snowing again. Not much, but still, friggin’ snow. Give the bees a break.

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