Even in the heat of central Texas, my bees (kept in Layen's hive) tend to propolyze any extra ventilation holes I provide for them. Top insulation is crucial to prevent comb collapse in the heat, but ventilation doesn't seem needed. Thanks for the video! Oh, by the way I'm Scott @blacklandprairiebees.
The hard insulation up top was a hold over from my winter setup. I left on because I didn't want it taking up space in my shed. But leaving it on seems to have worked out well. The bees propolyzed every little crack in the hive (and there were many). Even the insides of the corks that plug up the drilled holes were coated with propolis. It seems, if they could, they'd seal in every hole like you described. I was always taught that upper ventilation in the summer will reduce the amount of work the bees need to do to cure honey and to regulate the brood nest temperature, but having cut off all upper ventilation for a couple summers now (with hives that happen to be painted black), I don't see any evidence that they're overworked or stressed or anything detrimental. The bees are curing and capping the honey just as quickly. I can't tell if they're fanning more than they would with upper ventilation, but if they are, it's not exactly taxing the workforce. A dozen or so extra bees having to fan near the entrance? That's nothing. The temperment of the bees seems more relaxed too. That could just be me projecting, but I don't think I've ever gone so long in the summer without a sting before. I did most of my beekeeping wearing shorts and a t-shirt and no gloves. The bees just show any defensive behaviour. Again, that could be coincidence, but an enclosed hive with no upper ventilation might keep all the happy pheremones contained inside the hive instead of evaporating out the top entrance. Maybe? Neither of my hives are in full sunlight all day long, so maybe this wouldn't work for everybody. However, I've seen plenty of commercial beekeepers whose bees don't get any shade and seem to do fine with no upper ventilation. So... It seems like upper ventilation isn't necessary. It only took 14 years to figure that out. I'm getting there.
Even in the heat of central Texas, my bees (kept in Layen's hive) tend to propolyze any extra ventilation holes I provide for them. Top insulation is crucial to prevent comb collapse in the heat, but ventilation doesn't seem needed. Thanks for the video! Oh, by the way I'm Scott @blacklandprairiebees.
The hard insulation up top was a hold over from my winter setup. I left on because I didn't want it taking up space in my shed. But leaving it on seems to have worked out well.
The bees propolyzed every little crack in the hive (and there were many). Even the insides of the corks that plug up the drilled holes were coated with propolis. It seems, if they could, they'd seal in every hole like you described.
I was always taught that upper ventilation in the summer will reduce the amount of work the bees need to do to cure honey and to regulate the brood nest temperature, but having cut off all upper ventilation for a couple summers now (with hives that happen to be painted black), I don't see any evidence that they're overworked or stressed or anything detrimental. The bees are curing and capping the honey just as quickly. I can't tell if they're fanning more than they would with upper ventilation, but if they are, it's not exactly taxing the workforce. A dozen or so extra bees having to fan near the entrance? That's nothing.
The temperment of the bees seems more relaxed too. That could just be me projecting, but I don't think I've ever gone so long in the summer without a sting before. I did most of my beekeeping wearing shorts and a t-shirt and no gloves. The bees just show any defensive behaviour. Again, that could be coincidence, but an enclosed hive with no upper ventilation might keep all the happy pheremones contained inside the hive instead of evaporating out the top entrance. Maybe?
Neither of my hives are in full sunlight all day long, so maybe this wouldn't work for everybody. However, I've seen plenty of commercial beekeepers whose bees don't get any shade and seem to do fine with no upper ventilation. So...
It seems like upper ventilation isn't necessary.
It only took 14 years to figure that out. I'm getting there.