I inherited deep brood boxes each with a 3/4" hole drilled above the handle. The guy from whom I got the boxes said the holes were "optional," so when I bought more boxes, I drilled a hole in each of them too. I thought it was a great idea to give the bees another entrance and ventilation...but now I'm questioning each of those "benefits." I haven't seen any other boxes with these holes in them, so now I wonder if I should plug them up or leave them as they are.
Also, I'm planning the move from 10-frame deeps and 10-frame shallows to 8-frame mediums. And while I'm at it, I'm thinking of moving toward top entrances. But I can't find 8-frame migratory covers (to use for the top entrance) or 8-frame slatted racks (to use as bottoms). Anyone know if or where I can find those? Or is this project gonna demand innovative construction on my part (which could get ugly)?
Liz
Rossmans and Betterbee have 8 frame slatted racks, I'm sure some of the others do. I know someone has 8 frame migratory covers but can't remember who.
Some people claim/find the auger hole beneficial for ventilation or as an alt entrance. If you are going to make upper entrances via the cover, then you won't need them. If you do decide you like them I would put them underneath the handles not above so your arm won't be in the way of bees coming and going when you lift boxes.
If a hive is started with a top entrance, does that mean the brood chambers will be at the top? Supers are added then below for honey?
They'll put the broodnest where they want. But typically having an upper entrance will not alter brood nest location. They still want to go into winter with a cap/crown of honey above them so they'll still put the brood nest below.
Thanks a lot, fermentedhiker...I found both the 8-frame slatted rack and the migratory cover at Rossman's, and they're now on the way.
Liz
P.S. Those auger holes ARE below the handles. My bad. :)
my mentor had 1 inch holes in his brood boxes and so do I. I asked why and he said the trees had holes in them,no bottom entrance in trees. Sooooo. I have a plug that will go in if needs to in case of robbing or whatever needs arise. pembroke