Covers protect the hive from rain, sun and heat loss. The roof is the part that matters most in winter.

The layers

• Inner cover: Separates the colony from the roof, makes opening calmer and can carry a clearer board or feed hole
• Insulation layer: Keeps the roof warmer, so less condensation forms
• Outer cover: Sheds rain and sun

Why insulation above matters

Moist air from the colony rises, meets the cold roof and condenses. If that water falls on the cluster, the colony is lost.

In winter damp kills more than cold.

But insulating without ventilation traps the moisture; ventilating without insulation costs the heat. The two must work together.

Requirements for the roof

• Waterproof, with an overhang that leads water away
• Flat; a warped cover leaks and leaves gaps
• Enough weight or secured against wind
• Light colour limits heating in summer

Summer covering

In heat the colony spends its strength on cooling rather than foraging. Shade and a light roof colour make a noticeable difference.

An insulation layer helps as much in summer as in winter: it keeps the heat out.

What to check

• Cracks and holes, every autumn
• The edges of a metal covering
• Whether the cover sits flat on the box
• Whether the insulation is dry — wet insulation does not work

Practical point

At an inspection, set the cover down with the inner face up, or use it as a base for a frame. Putting it on the ground brings soil into the hive.