bees snugged II

The bees are all wrapped now, after getting their insulation.

This time I tried to wrap the tar paper so that it was sealed and went up under the flange of the beehive lid, so in theory the water sheds over the tar paper wrap, but I can still get the lid off anytime. We'll see.

I put a piece of tape on the corner before doing the fold so the paper doesn't tear- that worked well.

Like gift wrapping. The paper is all folded down tight and taped to the eke. That lid is upside down by the way, just for while I work.

That's what it looks like inside- the straw, and the bottle of bee syrup that they can access from the hole in the inner cover.

Here the lid's back on.

Hello bee!

The bees were out, because it was a nice day (about a month ago). They were flying and curious.

Hello bees!

When I wrap them all up they are shut in entirely for a few minutes before I cut their doors open again.

Bees at the door

This one is done. Except I have a bigger sheet of ply I put over the lid like a second, bigger lid.

The one in the background has not been done yet:)

Will they winter?

This year I have three hives to winter for the first time, since I purchased a second hive (nuc) this year, and I had one split (dramatically) and caught the swarm. I also have three sizes. 1,2,3 - my largest is three supers (Violet), and Pansy is one super. I've only lost a hive once, so I'm currently one for three, so this year will be interesting, based on the size of each hive, and of course the weather is the biggest factor. I'm also hopeful that being able to feed them in warm windows and replace the straw if it gets wet will be a boon.