Since 1852, when Rev. Langstroth unveiled his movable frame hive, beekeepers have seen few changes to the original design. Wooden hives are popular for a number of reasons: it’s simple design allows for various configurations to meet the beekeeper’s needs, all-the-while providing an adequate shelter for the honeybees. One drawback for those hives made from soft lumber wood with normal board thickness: the relatively low insulation value. New commercial materials such as polyurethane, fiberglass, and rock wool blown offer better, if not superior, insulating values without compromising the bees health or the ability for the beekeeper to make configuration adjustments.

Why are insulation values important? Lower insulation values – less efficient materials for beehive construction that create a sub-optimal environment – force the colony to adjust and maintain both inner hive temperature and humidity to produce a healthy brood and survive the seasonal changes. Inner temperatures that are above or below the optimal level, as well as fluctuation of temperatures in the brood nest, could lead to brood damage, adult bee deformation, a decline in cognition abilities and the development of diseases. Also, bees must consume additional resources to produce energy needed to adjust for the inner temperature and humidity to keep the hive in an optimal state.

The trade-off – for beekeepers – of polystyrene hives is the cost: a polystyrene beehive is approximately three times the cost of wooden hive.

Is there a compromise – making changes to the hive that increase insulating values without breaking the beekeeper’s bank? Ideas worth considering:

• Insulating the top of the beehive. The top insulation ensures that the heat is not lost through the crown board. 
• Move the hive, or make physical changes at its current location, that provides environmental advantages – shading with cool wind access in the summer and sun exposure with wind blocks in the winter.
• For winter months, wrap the beehive in roofing felt (tar paper) to take advantage of the sun’s rays and warmth. For summer months, increase vents for air circulation.

References:

• “Polyurethane honey bee hives provide better winter insulation than wooden hives”
• “Honey bee colonies performance enhance by newly modified beehives”
• https://hannasbees.ie/beehive-insulation-condensation-and-ventilation/
• “Effect of shading and ventilation on the amount of water consumed for cooling beehive during summer season“