late Apiguard and wrapping for winter

[paulh]

I'm due for my second dose of Apiguard, and the weather here in the North East has turned much cooler.  The 10-day forecast has it in the 60's, that's just within the lower range for Apiguard to work.

I know some beekeepers around here wrap their hives for the winter.  I plan to do the same.

Would wrapping now be a good idea?  I'm thinking it would raise the internal temperature and make the Apiguard more effective.

[bassman1977]

Would wrapping now be a good idea?

I wouldn't do it at all.  My first year I wrapped with roofing tar paper.  I bet it kept the hive warmer but even with open SBBs, it was really wet inside.  I haven't wrapped since and I've noticed that it is much drier inside the hive, except for the inner cover where water condenses.  I crack the inner cover with shims to help the moisture move out.  Save your money and forget the wrap.  They'll be fine without it.  Ventilation is much more important.

[MustbeeNuts]

I haven't decided whether to wrap or not, still thinking about it, but I have solid bottoms, the shimming I know ,, but I think a little extra might not be a bad idea. I lloked at the MInnisota University they reccomended wrapping. who knows , what ever you feel comfortable with. right now I don't feel comfortable with anything. LOL

[bassman1977]

I bet it would be good idea for extreme cold like where Finsky lives.  I know he uses terrarium heaters but can't remember if he wrapped or not.   

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#stopwrapping