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About this plot:
Ambient (outdoor, not in the hive) relative humidity (RH) is important for three reasons.
First, it is widely reported that nectar production in flowers is optimal when the ambient relative humidity is in the 40 - 60% range
Second, ambient relative humidity is important because it determines how hard the bees will have to work to keep the brood humidity in the 55 - 70% range, especially when the ambient humidity is higher.
Third, ambient relative humidity controls how long it will take to properly cure honey. Bees fan the nectar to evaporate the water in the nectar from 80% to 18% where it becomes stable. Ripened honey comes into equilibrium with air at a relative humidity in the 50-60% range. At higher humidities honey will absorb water and possibly ferment. At lower humidities water will slowly evaporate from the honey. In warm, humid climates, like those in Brazos County, it is more difficult for bees to reduce the brood humidity below the ambient. At some point it is not possible.
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