Moldy and Wet Telescoping Cover

[Kathy Dittrich]

Hi All,
I did a quick hive check last weekend, mostly just making sure the bees were still there, and noticed water dripping from one corner of the telescoping hive cover.
I took the cover off and turned it over and found the underside to be warped (like it got really wet) and moldy (green and white fuzz growing on the inside of the cover).
I am somewhat perplexed as to how the water got between the metal and wood. I am also pretty annoyed as I just purchased the cover this past spring, it's barely one season old. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I have caulked the seam where the metal cover meets the sides of the wood?
I need to replace the cover now (I currently have a piece of rabbit cage roofing covering the hive) but am hesitant to spend another $25 on the same style of cover if it's going to leak again.
Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kathy

[jeanne hansen]

Kathy,

It isn't necessarily a tragedy if the OUTER cover is moldy inside.  The point of the outer cover is to protect the inner cover.  Was the inner cover damp and moldy where it faced the outer cover?  Was the inner cover damp where it faced the bees?  Were the bees damp?  If the bees were dry, then good.

I have an outer cover that is warped, and instead of shedding the rain, it always let some water collect on the surface of the inner cover.  My bees were still dry, but I didn't like it.  I retired that outer cover to the job of covering a stack of empty equipment.  Hmmmmm.  I guess my equipment isn't being well protected from rain, but at least the mice can't get in.

There wouldn't be any mold if there was some ventilation between the inner and outer cover.  You could glue some match sticks to the inside corners of your outer cover.  That would raise it up enough for air flow, without letting in wasps or moths.  Yes, but you say it is warped.  Maybe the warping will allow enough ventilation in the future.

No one caulks between the wood and metal of their outer cover.  The dampness that allowed the mold to grow could have come from the bees themselves, up through the hole in the inner cover.  Is your cluster of bees nice and big, so there is lots of moisture from respiration?

I wouldn't spend $25 for a new cover until I had tried the match-sticks.  Some ventilation up at the top of the hive is always valuable.

 

Good Luck!

Jeanne Hansen

824 Jacobson Ave

Madison, WI 53714

608-244-5094

---

From: Kathy Dittrich <kathyd...@gmail.com>
To: mad...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 9:03 AM
Subject: [madbees] Moldy and Wet Telescoping Cover

-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups madbees group. To post to this group, send email to mad...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to madbees+u...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/madbees?hl=en

[Walt]

Kathy.
Could there possibly be a small hole where the metal is bent/crimped over one of the corners, or anywhere else on the metal cover? I have not noticed or had a problem with this, but have used only 3-4 covers over the years. I have not caulked the seam where the metal meets the wood. Sometimes there is moisture under the cover in late fall before I get around to setting up the hives for winter and providing for ventilation. I have three new covers that have never been used. The tops are made with chip board or plywood; not masonite. If you would like one I can bring one for $15.00-$20.00. The sides are not painted ! Maybe for this winter you could still get by with a makeshift cover that would just prevent rain or snow melt from getting under the metal of the telescoping cover, if that is what's happening. I have wrapped pieces of insulation in black plastic bag material with a good mil thickness that I place on top of cover [just a thing I have tried] and they are still in good condition after three winters.  

[Ellen Geisler]

Ventilate the hive.  Moisture inside the hives comes from the bees.  Think of attic ventilation and ice damming (a common problem in colder climates).

On Friday, November 30, 2012 9:03:41 AM UTC-6, Kathy Dittrich wrote:

[Kathy Dittrich]

Thanks for the thoughts. I hadn't thought about the moisture coming from the bees.
When I picked-up the cover and tilted it, water dripped out from between the metal top and wood frame (I don't see any cracks/creases where water got in). Would the bees produce that much moisture? I just don't see how water got between the metal and wood.
I am going to try ventilating the top.
I'll keep an eye on the inner cover to make sure it doesn't get wet/moldy.
-Kathy

On Friday, November 30, 2012 9:03:41 AM UTC-6, Kathy Dittrich wrote: