equipement questions

[Bee1]

Are all bottom boards reversible? If not, what makes one reversible? or how can I tell what mine is?

What makes an outer cover telescoping?  Is there another type - or are all outer covers telescoping?

Regarding varroa screens -- #6 mesh or #8? white tray or sticky board?  rear access or front ? 
http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=307 or 
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/products.asp?pcode=471  or ???

Bee1  -- trying to figure it all out. 

[DayValleyDahlias]

Oh I simply cannot wait for the answers!

[Michael Bush]

>Are all bottom boards reversible?

No.

> If not, what makes one reversible?

If you put it one way and have a 3/4" space and the other way and have a 1/2" or 3/8" space, then it is reversible.  If you flip it over and it doesn't really make a bottom board, then it's not reversible.  The SBB I have are not reversible.  There is only the 3/4" side and the other side has strings on it to hold the tray.  Most of the solid bottoms I have are reversible.  A few are not.

> or how can I tell what mine is?

Flip it over and see if it works just as well with a slightly smaller or larger entrance.

>What makes an outer cover telescoping?

It has a rim that hangs down over all the way around, as opposed to a flat cover that has no rim or only a cleat on the front and back.

>  Is there another type

Migratory covers and flat covers.

> - or are all outer covers telescoping?

No.

>Regarding varroa screens -- #6 mesh or #8?

Bees will get stuck in the #6 and get through it.  They won't get through the #8.  I prefer the #8.  Betterbee says the #6 will stay cleaner as more of the trash will fall through.

> white tray or sticky board?

Either.  I like the white tray.  I just scrape it off and put it back in.

>  rear access or front ?

For the tray?  Rear would be nicer.  Either will work.

All of my SBB are Brushy Mt.  I like them.

[Moonshae]

I turned my solid bottom board around when I added the screened board, so I could access the tray without blocking the entrance. Works great. Just left out the blockers until the bees on the old bottom board figured out how to get out.

[Michael Bush]

If I can't open a SBB up for ventilation in the summer, then I don't really have any use for it other than easier monitoring Varroa, which could be done with a sticky board without the SBB.