Recent content by BangerterHarp

Drex , thank you again for recommending the video with Ben Harden on wintering. Lots of interesting study and theory there. I haven't opened my hives in the winter so some new tidbits there to ponder on. There are many details of insulated versus non that I'm sure many of us would like to...

It is easy to see the moisture difference inside a hive which has a warm ceiling and cold walls versus a hive like most of mine that are completely insulated but up until this past year I didn't realize the full value of propolis on the walls of the hive. Quite frankly I was rather glad that my...

Although the Mobius experiment was flawed , is information available about winter water use in relation to ventilation. It seems , not quoting here , that I remember Tom Seeley saying that the condensation on the walls of a hive might possibly be used by the bees as a source of water for the...

https://semaponline.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FAF-insulated-hive.pdf This is the SEMAP study by Four Acres Farm on the insulated versus non-insulated hive

Not sure if you and your buddy in Wales just hate me in particular or is it all Americans in general. Regardless , I look forward to posts from you and he that will contribute to furthering our education of bees and beekeeping if you care to share.

I read an article some time back and I hope I will be able to link to it shortly and share here. It was a very limited study with one insulated Langstroth hive versus one non-insulated Langstroth hive and the data was similar to that included in Tom Seeley's book carried out by Derek Mitchell...

I'll have a watch of Mr. Hardens video later if I can find it. Thanks for sharing.

Many beekeepers recognize the benefits of insulation for a beehive " Coasting the Plateau" as you say. Are there disadvantages to coasting the plateau? What would be the advantage of keeping the bees "Climbing the mountain" in a thin walled hive ?

Ok , CharlieVictorBravo. That explains why I didn't find what I expected to in that search. Thanks for the correction.

I have the same problem Murox. I certainly can't afford to shell out for cleaned sheep's wool and since I haven't run across a local shepherd willing to part with their wool in the range I can afford I have looked at the mineral wool as an alternative until the real thing comes along. I have...

Thank you Citrus for the link to the article. I am transitioning from Langstroth deep frames to a narrow deep frame and have been foundationless from the start. Lang deeps and mediums seem to hold up well enough without support but I'm still uncertain whether I will us horizontal or vertical...

You are absolutely correct sir. Begging your pardon. I allowed myself to be led astray. A question I have more on topic . Has anyone used mineral wool for insulation on their hives? It seems a good somewhat natural(ish) alternative insulation .I have been looking into it for a future build...

Good to know. Surely , you are not saying that I should disregard what I read on the internet or see on TV as possibly false ??? (smiling and giggling at the thought) I suppose there is no need for anyone getting defensive. As you may recall if you were able to stay awake through my initial...

I concur with your thoughts on learning. But since I've apologized for stepping on sensitive toes already I will leave the were it lies.

....First off I would like to say Happy (day late ) US Thanksgivings Day from this side of the pond. Now down to business after my day of traditional gluttony . ...It's a shame that some bad apples taint the barrel but as for your opinion of American commercial beekeepers I'm afraid it does not...