I live in MN and our winters are a little harsh and long. My bee club last year lost all their hives except one (out of 20). I do use a quilt board and have yet to lose a hive over winter in two years. There are other ways and maybe they're better so I'll keep tinkering with how to improve. Five months with the bees not able to go out of the hive is rough. This year I'm going to try not having a top entrance (3/8" by 1/2"). But your main two points are right on - dead mites and enough food.
Yes. It still amazes me how many people on Washington/west coast be pages on Facebook for example, are preaching "Use a quilt box or your bees will die".
I live in MN and our winters are a little harsh and long. My bee club last year lost all their hives except one (out of 20). I do use a quilt board and have yet to lose a hive over winter in two years. There are other ways and maybe they're better so I'll keep tinkering with how to improve. Five months with the bees not able to go out of the hive is rough. This year I'm going to try not having a top entrance (3/8" by 1/2").
But your main two points are right on - dead mites and enough food.
Good luck Russ - I used to winter bees north of you in Manitoba. Truly amazing the extremes bees can survive
Yes. It still amazes me how many people on Washington/west coast be pages on Facebook for example, are preaching "Use a quilt box or your bees will die".
Looked like you could turn that lid board over and it would last a couple more years
I like your thinking lol
Literally feels like a rock lol yup