Ventilation in the Hive

Having ventilation, especially through the winter is important for your bees. But not too much, overexposure can kill your bees too. It’s all about having the right balance. If you live in an area with high winter winds, you may want to close your hive a little more. If you keep your hive in a protected area, having some extra airflow can be good! As shown in the picture, if your hive doesn’t have airflow, the combination of cold air with the bees making warm air creates humidity and then mold.  Mold is an enemy of the hive and can kill your bees over the winter. If you strap your lids, make sure it is only tight enough to hold the lid on and let the bee place propolis where they would like to get the best balance of airflow.