New Guy - if I use a screen bottom board, will that make it more inviting for a skunk to come from under to raid my hive?. Has anyone had that problem?
the screen in SBB is usually #8 or 1/8 inch hole and is no access for animals on ant size
I just had a raccoon come under and pull down the slide in plastic board and chew it up. I assume he was after the bits of pollen and such.
No skunks yet.
Joe
I've had skunk problems! Lots and lots of skunks in Michigan. That is why most of my hives now have top or mid entrances to keep the skunks from harassing the bees. If you have a conventional bottom entrance and a screened bottom, what's the difference going to be to a skunk? They both look like dinner.
The skunks will paw at the bottom entrance until the bees come out and then they'll lick them up like little candy bars of honey. If they scratch on the bottom screen instead, it is doubtful (IMO) that they are going to get an easy meal. They are then likely to go about digging up your lawn looking for grubs instead.
I would fix the bottom entrance problem before worrying about the screened bottom.
Dont worry about the screen bottom boards. Go to home depot and get some of the carpet tack down strips. cut them in sections and put them in front of the hive so anything that wants to get in fron of the hive has to stand on tacks :evil: They get the picture real quick :-D