Just added my Flow Hive super to the brood box. I live in an area with cool, dewy mornings, but not rain. The hive shows condensation on the observation windows, the key slot plug, and a little mildew is showing up on the ceiling of the roof.
I removed the bottom sliding piece to help dry it out, but that doesn’t seem to be doing enough. Research has mentioned “hive dryers” such as a quilt, silica packets or insulation.
Thoughts?
Hi @ChickenMama,
I’m having similar issues but haven’t added my super yet. Curious if what I described in my post sounds similar?
I fear taking out the tray for long periods could cause the bees to fill the screen with propolis. I have been checking out he tray every 5-7 days, cleaning and drying it.
The brood box humidity and temp drops temporarily but adding the tray causes humidity to accumulate again after a few days.
I kept bees starting in 2009, stopped in late 2014. There were times I took the bottom board off altogether for weeks at a time. The bees won’t fill it with propolis.
Some of the research I have down also said the humidity was a sign of healthy growth and activity. I will keep monitoring and stay in touch!