# Question on hive insulation **URL:** \ **Category:** Beekeeping - Basics\ **Created:** [October 23, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101 "2020-10-23T04:58:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Freebee2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/freebee2/32/18643_2.png) [@Freebee2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Freebee2)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/1 "2020-10-23T04:58:28Z")
Hey beekeepers, We have a customer in Maine (a newer beekeeper) wondering about insulating her hive using a quilt and perhaps pine needles in the roof cavity. Since this is fairly regionally specific, we were hoping to turn it over to the “hive mind” here. Is anyone adding an additional section to their hives in place of the inner cover for this purpose? We’d love some tips on this to pass along to her. Many thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ABB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/abb/32/24614_2.png) [@ABB](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/ABB)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/2 "2020-10-23T05:24:13Z")
This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden. ---
**Author:** ![AdamMaskew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/adammaskew/32/16818_2.png) [@AdamMaskew](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/AdamMaskew)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/4 "2020-10-23T23:19:13Z")
There has been discussion about preparing hives for winter in the cold areas of the world. It does usually involve some sort of wrap, barrier, emergency feed and/or a quilt box for moisture control. The other advice was also go and see what other local beekeepers do. But that is all I know based on what I have seen others say they do. I live in a Mediterranean climate. ---
**Author:** ![SnowflakeHoney](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/snowflakehoney/32/7036_2.png) [@SnowflakeHoney](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/SnowflakeHoney)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/5 "2020-10-24T11:36:39Z")
@Freebee2 take a look at my responses here, as I’ve linked to two threads to help with the answer: > [@Cedar flow hive 2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/cedar-flow-hive-2/23802/31): > > Click on the little magnifying glass and start doing keyword searches. Start with: Preparing for winter Winter feeding Cold weather Overwinter I don’t have the issues you do given my location but I’ve seen countless posts about preparing for winter here over the last few years. Also, judging by your comments, you seem to have an awareness of what you likely need to do so I’d actually just get cracking and do that as a starting point. @Amanda_Wells this thread might also end up with an answer to assist you ---
**Author:** ![Freebee2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/freebee2/32/18643_2.png) [@Freebee2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Freebee2)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/6 "2020-10-25T22:10:42Z")
> [@Freebee2](#): > > Is anyone adding an additional section to their hives in place of the inner cover for this purpose? Thanks so much @AdamMaskewand @SnowflakeHoney The customer was specifically wondering if anyone was adding an extra section in which to place pine needles and the like, which was a method I hadn’t heard of, but I think this overwintering information will be helpful to her regardless, as she may find that she does not need to go down that path. Thanks agin for posting your responses - much appreciated 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AdamMaskew](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/adammaskew/32/16818_2.png) [@AdamMaskew](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/AdamMaskew)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/7 "2020-10-26T00:05:11Z")
Quilt boxes are quite common I understand ---
**Author:** ![Freebee2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/freebee2/32/18643_2.png) [@Freebee2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Freebee2)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/8 "2020-10-26T00:06:07Z")
Thanks Adam, I’ll let her know 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Eva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@Eva](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Eva)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/9 "2020-10-29T14:59:09Z")
Free, I use aspen shavings from the pet supply store in a shallow or medium quilt box, fitted with a hardware cloth bottom covered by a tea towel, on top of my hives here in PA. This year I’m trying the idea of utilizing the Flow roof space for this. I’d think pine needles would do a decent job of insulating, but I’m not sure about their ability to wick moisture the way wood shavings can. Here’s a great article by Rusty Berlew on making a quilt box: [https://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-make-a-moisture-quilt-for-a-langstroth-hive/](https://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-make-a-moisture-quilt-for-a-langstroth-hive/) @busso was it you who posted about trying out a mesh bag filled with similar insulation material placed under the Flow roof in cold weather? ---
**Author:** ![Freebee2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/freebee2/32/18643_2.png) [@Freebee2](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Freebee2)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/question-on-hive-insulation/28101/10 "2020-10-29T22:09:09Z")
That’s great info @Eva, thanks so much 🙂