Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => TOP BAR HIVES - WARRE HIVES - LONG HIVES => Topic started by: Captain776 on April 11, 2017, 09:02:26 am

Title: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: Captain776 on April 11, 2017, 09:02:26 am
I live in Thailand, it stays warm all year and right now it is the hottest time of year here.
I just picked up my first NUC a week ago and have a ventilation question.
Where it is so hot here, would it be better for the bees if I use a screen bottom board to help keep the Hive cooler?
If I use a screen bottom board, can I use just the screen bottom by itself, that would mean the bottom of the Brood Box would only be protected by the screen or do I need to use something else in conjunction with the screen to shield/protect the bottom of Brood Frames?

Thanks,

Bruce
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: Acebird on April 11, 2017, 10:02:00 am
Just a screen.  The only problem with a 1/8 screen is if you have small hive beetle and wax moth problems.  It provides easy access.
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: Captain776 on April 11, 2017, 11:38:23 am
Ace,

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I bought my NUC from a bee farm with over 2000 hives and had my wife ask them in Thai so there was no loss in translation (hopefully) that they do not have varroa or wax moth here but I am not yet 100% convinced.
I know the bees handle ventilation and other issues naturally but it is so hot here now, I can't imagine it isn't also baking hot in the hive.
They are still in the Nuc Box I brought them home in April 7, it has 8 frames in it and 2 vent holes on the side approx 2.5" x 6" but when I put them into my hive, it only has the entry opening and 2 vent holes in each table end of the pitched roof.
Maybe that is enough.

Bruce
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: little john on April 12, 2017, 03:49:35 am
If you should experience bearding during hot weather, you might want to consider making some slatted-rack bottom boards for your hives.  These provide a space below the lower combs and the OMF (SBB) for the bees to hang-out in, away from the combs.
"Warm all year round " - sounds good ...  :smile:
LJ
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: paus on April 13, 2017, 01:36:35 pm
Several of us on this Beemaster site use a double screen bottom board.  We place a pan with oil in it between the screens, this space is bee proof and I usually have a pan that is smaller than the screen, this allows air to flow. To make the dsbb more attractive to beetles I place a blackout over the bottom screen and then place the oil pan on top of this. I use plant mulch cloth on a frame like a top board  for the blackout, I only go to this trouble when SHB are bad, after the beetle population goes down I remove the blackout.  I use the oil pan on all my hives, this is not practicable for large a commercial BEEK.  This summer I am going to make top board with the screen wire and a spacer to allow more air and let light in the top, which makes the top of the hive more unfriendly to SHB.
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: Acebird on April 13, 2017, 05:35:14 pm
Maybe that is enough.
Bruce

Bruce, if you were to ask me personally I would say 92 degrees and muggy is hot as heck but the bees love this.  OK so to them 92 is perfect but they can survive -20 so even if it goes to 120 I think they can handle it but I can't.  In very warm weather the bees need water and a way to ventilate the hive.  Then they should be good.
Title: Re: Proper use of a screen bottom board
Post by: Captain776 on April 14, 2017, 09:05:34 am
Maybe that is enough.
Bruce

Bruce, if you were to ask me personally I would say 92 degrees and muggy is hot as heck but the bees love this.  OK so to them 92 is perfect but they can survive -20 so even if it goes to 120 I think they can handle it but I can't.  In very warm weather the bees need water and a way to ventilate the hive.  Then they should be good.

I tend to agree. I am reading all I can on many aspects of Beekeeping and I read good advice the other day..........before YOU do something you think the bees need, look what they do in the wild, and copy it.