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Author Topic: Weathertex lids and baseboards  (Read 4135 times)

Offline Honeyeater

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Weathertex lids and baseboards
« on: June 16, 2020, 09:08:59 pm »
Hi there. My experience with hive equipment is limited to the hive ware supplied with the Flow hive. I want to replace and add some gear and came across lids and bottom boards made of Weathertex. Is this something worth seeking over standard ply?

I can't find any here in Perth so I have to get them over east and not sure it is worth the extra shipping.

Offline Garigal

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2020, 09:26:10 pm »
Hey mate,

You can get them from SA may be a cheaper option?

https://shop.adelaidebeekeeping.com.au/base-8fr-timber

I've got two locally made MG lids with 11mm Weathertex clad in Colorbond, just tearing them down to convert them to insulated tops. Didn't find any rot etc after 5+ years.

I bought a cheap lid a few weeks ago and its got thin (4mm) cheap ply on top, don't bother with them.

I used to use solid boards and again never had any rot, I had these SHB traps installed under them: https://beetltra.com.au/shop/trap-kit/

I've been trying a few different bases lately to try and overcome the beetle invasions.

Offline Garigal

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2020, 10:02:14 pm »
Here's a few local suppliers in WA that have a variety of decent equipment:

http://www.johnlguilfoyle.com.au/branches1.htm

https://elitebees.com.au/

https://ripplefarm.com.au/contact/

Offline Honeyeater

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2020, 11:58:30 pm »
Cheers mate. Although I do not have the pests here I am now leaning towards open screened bottom boards. I read the article you posted in the other thread which reminded me in another one I came across:

https://www.aginnovators.org.au/news/screen-bottomed-hives-deter-varroa-mites-not-productivity

I have this issue with condensation with just one of the hives when it rains.

I also want to build a swarm trap and I wonder whether it will work with a screened bottom board.

Offline Garigal

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2020, 12:20:37 am »
I was using well made but expensive ($85) screened bottom boards last summer and followed the advice to remove the trays to allow ventilation during very hot weather.

Unfortunately I found that the open screens actually provide a massive area for the SHB to enter the hive & not just get kicked out, never had that problem with solid bases with traps prior to that. I also have a theory that they allow so much hive odour to waft out that it's like a beacon for SHB.

I'm really hoping these Hiverly bases work because they're a sort of hybrid of solid and screened bases but make it much harder for the beetles to get into the hive to start with. You're lucky you don't have to deal with them yet.

Offline Honeyeater

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2020, 02:01:46 am »
If you think $85 is expensive for a screened baseboard, checkout the Flow ones mate. I was going to order another, and cheapest option is $160 delivered (no pick up option with Flow) and they are not even well made. At least the ones I already have are not, they're shoddy, and I don't think I am allowed to say that on the other forum.

Yeah shame about the SHB, that study looks convincing though and am willing to give it a go to keep condensation in check. Once we get SHB, I will reassess.

Offline Beelab

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2020, 06:54:52 am »
I?m just trialing blue bee bottom boards. I heard they claim to pretty much don?t even let the SHB in. I think you can get them from Burnett?s beekeeping supplies. Worth a try I reckon.
You can also get your weather tex gear there.

Offline crispy

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2020, 10:20:55 pm »
I went onto ebay and got some mess there suitable for a 8 frame hive using it for my bee catching vacum has a hole size of about 3mm if you are handy you could probably make your own ventilated base board wasnt that expensive either .

Offline BellGumGardenBees

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2020, 07:09:35 am »
My understanding is that a real positive for weathertex is that all sugars and starches are removed.

Offline Garigal

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2020, 01:26:50 am »
I?m just trialing blue bee bottom boards. I heard they claim to pretty much don?t even let the SHB in. I think you can get them from Burnett?s beekeeping supplies. Worth a try I reckon.
You can also get your weather tex gear there.

Pretty much every baseboard or beetle trap claims to be a magic all-in-one solution to SHB but most of it is just marketing puffery.

They all have pros and cons and usually have to be used in some sort of combination, but I?m finding the best thing is a strong colony in a space they can adequately patrol while also removing any cracks or crevices beetles can retreat to like grooved bottom bars on frames.

Offline Beelab

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Re: Weathertex lids and baseboards
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2021, 07:41:47 am »
I remember I purchased a beetlebuster bottom board once and put it under a nuc. Big mistake. The beetle buster blooming bred me my first slime out.