I must admit that I've been pretty ignorant when it comes to using SBBs. This is due to the fact that I've had pretty good success with solid bottom boards. For those of you that use them in colder climates, do any of you leave them wide open year round? Also what advantages or disadvantages do you find with use in a cold climate? Inquiring minds want to know.
This will be my first winter as a beek, but everything I have read says to leave the SBB open. It isn't the cold that kills the bees, it is moisture. Upper ventilation is a must!
I am not in the cold north just in the mid climate of North Carolina.
I was buying some new screened bottom boards from a beekeeper with a few decades of experience when I noticed he had solid bottom boards for sale and I asked WHO would buy solid bottom boards his response was:
Just the old beekeepers that know what they're doing. :)
I do leave mine open year round, except for doing mite counts with sticky boards.
Quote from: contactme_11 on October 13, 2009, 10:11:43 AM
Also what advantages or disadvantages do you find with use in a cold climate? Inquiring minds want to know.
I find much better spring build up when you allow them to retain heat, just like they do when they are feral. I've moved away from SBB a few years ago and am glad I did.
You may find these articles interesting -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,16851.msg123059.html#msg123059
Quote from: gardeningfireman on October 13, 2009, 10:29:57 AM
It isn't the cold that kills the bees
But heat sure makes them stronger.
Quote
Upper ventilation is a must!
Somebody needs to tell feral colonies that :evil:
i close my screened bottom boards in winter. i put on the entrance reducer on the smallest setting. i have NO upper entrance. the only way i would use an upper entrance in winter would be if i had no other openings.
Here in north Arkansas the only negative I have seen with SBB is an increase in the amount of food the bees eat. They go into winter with larger adult populations and they eat about 20 to 25% more food.
Robo, I remember reading that article when you posted it. I must admit that I've had pretty good success with solid bottoms. I keep most of my hives in an area where they are in 8-10 hours sun a day. They get extremely hot in the summer so I started using all season inner covers this year. I have noticed that my hives in the most sun have almost no mites and no visible SHB that some of my shade hives do. So I guess there is something to be said about retaining heat.
Quote from: Robo on October 13, 2009, 10:39:04 AM
Quote from: contactme_11 on October 13, 2009, 10:11:43 AM
Also what advantages or disadvantages do you find with use in a cold climate? Inquiring minds want to know.
I find much better spring build up when you allow them to retain heat, just like they do when they are feral. I've moved away from SBB a few years ago and am glad I did.
You may find these articles interesting -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,16851.msg123059.html#msg123059
I purchased two hives this year with SBB, local ol times told me to close them up so I just slid a piece of panel board under, not truely sealed but mostly closed off.
I don't think it would be beneficial to have a cold north wind whistling up into your open SBB during the winter. Maybe it would be ok if you had a stand which protected the opening from wind. I am trying a SBB on one of my hives and it is now closed because we hit temps in low 20's a week ago. So far I like it because you can look into the hive through it and check on the mite drop. I'm not sure how the bees like it...
Robo,
You use upper entrances on some of your hives, don't you? Do you still use a standard bottom board or do you just use a solid board? I like the idea of using top entrances for winter and I'm thinking of just using a solid piece of wood on the bottom.
No, now I only use bottom entrances with solid bottom boards. I seem to get stronger hives when they can retain the heat in the brood area. I've tried many things over the years, but that is where I am now....
I've been studying feral colonies or the past few year and have modeled my practices after them, not what man thinks is best. I'm not saying ferals always have bottom entrances, just that they seem to always attempt to keep the ventilation to a minimum.
Quote from: contactme_11 on October 13, 2009, 10:11:43 AM
I must admit that I've been pretty ignorant when it comes to using SBBs. This is due to the fact that I've had pretty good success with solid bottom boards. For those of you that use them in colder climates, do any of you leave them wide open year round? Also what advantages or disadvantages do you find with use in a cold climate? Inquiring minds want to know.
They need to keep their brood at 90-92 degree. Even in TX. I close mine when it gets down to 60s at night.