EFFECT OF THE INTERNAL SIZE AND THERMAL INSULATION OF THE HIVE ON BEE COLONIES STRINGTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the internal size and thermal insulation of the hive on bee colonies strength (sealed brood area) and productivity (honey and pollen areas). Hives from Langstroth type were used containing honeybee colonies of equal strength from the species of hybrid carniolan. This study included three internal sizes of bee hives (0.024, 0.031 and 0.038 m3); three insulation cases (without, with sackcloth and with foam); and three hive entrance direction (East, Southeast and South). The lowest mean hive temperatures recorded in the middle of January to be 18.3, 16.8 and 11.8°C with foam, sackcloth and without insulation, respectively. Average lower temperature were 20, 16.7 and 13.6 °C for internal hive sizes of 0.024, 0.031and 0.038 m3, respectively. Average temperature were 17.3, 16.9 and 16.6 °C for hive entrance direction South, Southeast and East, respectively. The mean area of honey, pollen and sealed brood at the end of March were 826, 652 and 3561 cm2, respectivelywhen using foam insulator. And 884, 716 and 3626 cm2, respectivelywith internal hive size 0.024 m3. In case of south entrance direction the above areas were 845, 658 and 3542 cm2, respectively. Significant increase in hive temperature, honey, pollen and sealed brood areas were detected when using the lowest internal beehives size and foam insulator.