Experienced beekeepers do not recommend neglecting the insulation of bees for the winter. This is a very important and responsible procedure that helps to obtain a productive swarm. If the necessary measures are not taken, the probability of insect death is high. At the same time, the costs of their restoration will be much higher than the costs of insulation. To carry out this procedure, you can use different materials - polystyrene foam, mineral wool, hay and others.
Primary requirements
When insulating hives, it is important to choose the right material.
It must meet the following criteria:
- keep warm;
- protect from the wind;
- ensure normal ventilation - it is important that steam is removed from the hive.
The fact is that polymer materials prevent moisture from escaping. Excessive amounts of steam provoke unwanted activity of colonies during wintering. As a result, bees absorb a lot of honey. This can lead to starvation in the spring, which will cause the death of insects.
Therefore, the use of polystyrene foam is considered a very controversial decision. It has minimal weight, is easy to attach and reliably retains heat. However, the coating does not absorb moisture. As a result, it flows to the bottom of the hives.
Moss, hay, dry leaves, and straw are considered natural solutions. They can be used to fill burlap covers and sew them up. Then place it on the sides and on the roof of a closed hive for wintering in the wild.
Insulation methods
Today there are many known methods for insulating hives, each of which has its own pros and cons. This allows each beekeeper to choose the most suitable option.
Plastic or foam
Usually it is recommended to insulate hives with isolon, which is an elastic polyethylene foam with a closed structure, or polystyrene foam. The plastic functions as a holder. The required material is placed between its sheets. Sometimes beekeepers use folgoizol, or foil-coated isolon.
The key advantage of such materials is considered to be low weight with increased density. Their use does not burden the hive structure. In addition, the coatings have pronounced heat-insulating properties, which helps keep the hive warm. They are easy to install. When using these materials, there is no need to use additional insulating blocks for the sides and nests.
Mineral wool, other fibrous materials
These materials are used quite often. Mineral wool, potato, flax or hemp tow are stuffed into textile bags and spread out well. In some cases, to give strength, the finished pillow is mounted in a wooden frame.
Fibrous materials absorb moisture. At the same time, they are very slowly destroyed under its influence. This is where the key advantage of such materials lies.
Senom
This crumbly insulation needs to be placed in covers. It is recommended to sew them from a fairly durable material. It is recommended to place the resulting pillows under the hive cover. To protect the structure from bees, you need to put a mesh under the insulation.
Use of improvised means
Available materials that can be used to insulate hives include leaves, straw, and moss. They should stuff the burlap, straighten it evenly and stitch it well so that the insulation does not bunch up. The pillows should be fixed on the walls and roof of the hive.
When making holes in the roof, it is important not to overdo it to prevent drafts. When using straw, there is a risk that it will be eaten by mice. In addition, materials of plant origin quickly become moldy.
Some beekeepers use film as an improvised means, but this option is not very effective in the winter season. It is recommended to use it in the spring, when it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature in the hive.
Required tools and materials
When choosing a material, it is important to be guided by the following criteria:
- Availability – there shouldn’t be any difficulties purchasing the material. In addition, it is important that it is easy to work with.
- Thermal conductivity – it is important that the coating retains heat well.
- Hygroscopicity - this parameter should be small. Thanks to this, wintering bees will not increase their activity and consume honey too actively. Hemp tow is considered the optimal solution.
- Structure – it is desirable that the insulation is elastic and does not cake. Tow and dry moss meet these requirements.
- Resistance to rodents - bees must feel protected. Therefore, the material should be unattractive to rodents. It can be cotton wool or felt.
Insulation process
To insulate hives using polystyrene foam, it is recommended to do the following:
- Cut out the required parts from wooden beams.
- Assemble a wooden frame, fastening the elements with nails or self-tapping screws.
- Cut a piece of foam plastic for each frame.
- Insert insulation into frames.
- Cover the joints with sealant.
- Hang the frames on the hives.
To insulate hives located outdoors with fibrous materials, the following must be done:
- Sew fabric bags.
- Fill the bags with insulation.
- For the roof, make a frame structure, securing the bag between plywood sheets.
- Secure the pillows to the house.
Common mistakes
When insulating hives, inexperienced beekeepers make the following mistakes:
- excessive heat and insufficient ventilation;
- too much ventilation;
- using fiberboard as insulation - to prevent bees from chewing it, it needs to be treated with drying oil.
Warming hives for the winter is considered an important undertaking. For the procedure to be successful, it is recommended to choose the right material and strictly follow the instructions for its use.
