Insulating bee hives8/7/2023 ![]() The results suggest the use of cork for the construction of modern, but at the same time traditional, cork/wood beehives. ![]() Due to the lower heating needs a lower consumption of honey by the colonies during winter months was observed, with an average amount of 3.5 kg honey per hive saved in Mediterranean conditions. For the latter, the decrease in temperature during the time of extraction of the frames (5 mins) was less in the cork/wooden hives compared to the wooden hives, reaching 32.06° C instead of 31.60° C after closing the hive, cork/wooden hives took 12 minutes to reach 36.56° C, while wooden hives took 24 minutes to reach 35.10° C. ResultsĬompared to the control, experimental cork/wooden beehives demonstrated: a more regular pattern of internal daily temperature, more efficient winter thermoregulation, a shorter time lapse necessary for restoring the temperature of the hive after opening (referring to the brood chamber). The aim of this trial was to : a) increase thermoregulation efficiency of beehives by using cork in the construction of hive walls, thus improving bee health and hive productivity b) contribute to the maintenance of traditional apiculture practices of Mediterranean agro-silvo pastoral systems, as historical findings indicate a widespread use of cork for the construction of rustic hives c) favour a better use of a secondary product of the cork processing industry (granulated cork) d) produce lighter and more resistant hives, compared to wooden hives e) promote the use of cork as a fundamental product and economic source of revenue of traditional agro-forestry systems. ![]() The experimental beehives were handcrafted in the woodworking facilities of Montarbu and Pixinamanna, managed by the Regional Forest Agency (FoReSTAS - Sardinia). Experimental Dadant-Blatt cork-wooden hives with 3 cm-thick walls made mostly of cork (83%) and only a thin inner layer of wood (0.5 cm) were compared with standard Dadant-Blatt fir wood hives, used as control. The study was performed at the University of Sassari (NW Sardinia, Italy). ![]() The insulating properties of cork as construction material of modern hives and its impact on thermoregulation of Italian bee ( Apis mellifera ligustica) colonies, in comparison to traditional beehives made of fir wood was tested. ![]()
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