I have a hive stand, then a screened bottom board then the entrance to the hive. I have the area between the stand an screen blocked of so the bees can not get on the sticky paper. Is this correct? is the hive getting enough ventilation? should I open the access tothe sticky paper?
The sticky paper is simply for measuring varroa mite drop. You don't need to/shouldn't leave it on the hive all the time unless you are specifically measuring varroa drop. By leaving it on the hive, you block the air circulation that is the prime value of the screened bottom board. You don't ever want the bees on the sticky paper and it should not be accessible to them ever.
Linda T in Atlanta