To Ventilate or Not to Ventilate

摘要

What do you call a group of beekeepers? Dan Basterfield suggests a disagreement of beekeepers. When I was a beginner beekeeper, I remember being told that if you ask three beekeepers a question you will get three different answers. Whatever the truth,it seems to me that every beekeeper has a different view on the various aspects of beekeeping.The question in the title all started with one of Chris Utting's Topical Tips in the January issue:Remove, entrance blocks, varroa floor inserts and any insulation under the roof; place match sticks under each corner of the crown board; if the colony is cold this keeps the bees inactive and they do not consume their stores; metabolic water condenses under the roof and can be used to dilute the honey from 18% to 50% water content - the ideal strength for immediate consumption.