This insulated migratory lid will keep your hive cool in summer and warm in winter. A polystyrene sheet is sandwiched between a 10mm Weathertex board and plywood to provide rigidity. 10mm bee-space between the ply and the lid rim means that air can ventilate. You will not get burr comb inside this lid.

Combining this lid with a mesh base will mean you have all your bases covered when it comes to hot summer weather and winter cold snaps. This lid is especially suited if your apiary gets frost in winter.

Take a look at this article written by John Tadman, in the ABK of September 25th, 2015: insulated lids and mesh bottom boards help to avoid condensation inside the hive, and they help to manage small hive beetles as well.

[T]he brood cluster is the "engine" that drives stale air and moisture out of hives, provided there is no top opening to induce a chimney effect, which bees are not programmed to handle. In winter and on cold nights, hot moist stale air rising from the brood cluster hits an insulated lid and is forced to the walls by the hot air rising below it. It cools and sinks, and leaves the hive, taking its moisture load and unwanted carbon dioxide with it. A cold, non-insulated lid will cause the moisture to condense and stay in the hive. Bees can tolerate cold dry conditions, but cold wet conditions are problematic. Worst of all, a ventilated non-insulated lid might allow the escape of carbon dioxide, but will allow the retention of water and excessive dissipation of heat. In summer, the same natural circulation removes water from nectar. Evaporative cooling causes moist cool air to sink and flow out the bottom of the hive.

 

Be The First To Review This Product!

Help other Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.

Write a product review