I live in Michigan and am a second year bee keeper. One prob we have is 50-100% of hives are dying during winter. I'm considering building a masonry stove to heat a house and it struck me: is there an optimum ratio of intake to exhaust air as I think of the hive as a flue to provide fresh air and deal with condensation? Can I retain more of the heat generated in the hive by creating that ratio with a sticky board panel on the bottom with a hive body up top redirecting air in and around cedar shavings?
Currently I'm working on a model to utilize Christmas tree lights running through the joist run my hives are sitting on to add just a bit more heat as temps drop. If I can make more of that heat I'd sure like to! I've googled the Missouri masonry stove and created a ratio presented in those designs for intake:exhaust being 3:11. Any comments? Ideas? Experiences?
Thanks
