Wintering Colonies with Bill Hesbach

This talk starts with how bees control the internal hive temperature using thermoregulation and what effect that has on the colony. Then we discuss convection flows inside a colony as a precursor to understanding ventilation. In the final segment, I introduce the concept of a condensing colony versus the more common practice of adding ventilation. When finished, you will better understand what role ventilation plays in a natural hive environment, where the bees control all the hive gases.

SPEAKER DETAILS:

Bill Hesbach is a Connecticut native with a background in engineering. He's an Eastern Apicultural Society Certified Master Beekeeper, a graduate of the University of Montana's master beekeeping program, and the Connecticut Beekeepers Association president. Bill also operates a sideline bee business called Wing Dance Apiary in Cheshire, CT., that produces a crop of artisanal raw honey and other natural hive products. Bill teaches bee biology and various beekeeping methods at meetings hosted by regional beekeeping clubs. Bill is an active member of the Eastern Apicultural Society, where he is part of the Master Beekeeper Certification program. Bill is a regular guest speaker at national beekeeping seminars and was presented the Distinguished Speaker Award at the 2019 EAS conference. His special interests in beekeeping include bee biology and flight and the connection between local flora and bee behavior. He's a published author, and his articles on beekeeping appear in Bee Culture, Bee Craft, and The American Bee Journal.

Learn more: 

Winter Management - Bee Culture

Splits and Varroa - Amazon

The Reality of Ancestry: Italians Versus Carniolans / 779 - American Bee Journal