Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: drobbins on March 26, 2019, 12:00:41 PM

Title: Hole in inner cover
Post by: drobbins on March 26, 2019, 12:00:41 PM
Hey,

I'm making a couple of inner covers and I'm trying to figure out why most manufactured ones seem to have a slot for a vent hole
If I'm not mistaken, the slot is long enough so that if you're feeding with an inverted jar, the jar doesn't completely cover the slot giving the bees access to the space above the cover
seems less than optimum
I was thinking of making a hole that a jar would cover
It also seems that making the hole over to one side might help avoid dripping syrup on the cluster

Thoughts?

Dave
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: drobbins on March 26, 2019, 12:11:27 PM
I guess if the jar completely covers the hole, it no longer provides ventilation
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: CoolBees on March 26, 2019, 12:45:37 PM
Drobbins - I don't know much - but I have an observation. I saw a commercial operation in January (about 200 hives) that had a single hole in each lid with a 2 liter soda bottle inverted for feeding. This led me to think that the slot on the IC could be made any way I'd like to. They'd get ventilation from the entrance - and I put a vent in the 4th box up when they get that tall.

I'm with you - so far, I've come to the conclusion that the standard slot in a store-bought IC is poorly designed, at best.
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Michael Bush on March 26, 2019, 01:21:15 PM
>I'm making a couple of inner covers and I'm trying to figure out why most manufactured ones seem to have a slot for a vent hole
If I'm not mistaken, the slot is long enough so that if you're feeding with an inverted jar, the jar doesn't completely cover the slot giving the bees access to the space above the cover
seems less than optimum

It is designed for a Porter bee escape.  It is less than optimum.  Especially considering no one uses them...

>I was thinking of making a hole that a jar would cover
It

That's what I always have done when making an inner cover.

>also seems that making the hole over to one side might help avoid dripping syrup on the cluster

When it's cold it's better to have the syrup over the cluster.  I cover the hole with #8 hardware cloth so I can remove the jar without facing bees...
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Acebird on March 26, 2019, 02:11:08 PM
Some refer to it as a hand hole although I don't suggest you put your hand in it when it is on a live hive.  Some covers have no hole at all.
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: drobbins on March 26, 2019, 02:21:35 PM
I like the idea of some type of hole for ventilation and winter feeding
just wondering what's best
I've come up with a crafty plan, stay tuned
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Michael Bush on March 26, 2019, 02:42:26 PM
>just wondering what's best

IMO the size of a canning jar.
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: herbhome on March 26, 2019, 08:41:52 PM
I make mine with a hole saw. I can't recall the actual size but it will allow a canning jar ring to slip through but hangs up on the lip at the bottom of the ring. #8 hardware cloth on the bottom side of the hole is a good idea-makes refilling much easier. :smile:
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Acebird on March 27, 2019, 08:47:21 AM
Quote from: drobbins on March 26, 2019, 02:21:35 PM
I like the idea of some type of hole for ventilation and winter feeding
just wondering what's best

In a northern location the hole should be blocked.  Ventilating through the center of the hive can cause chilled brood.  Vents should be on an outside wall.
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: BeeMaster2 on March 27, 2019, 03:35:49 PM
Quote from: herbhome on March 26, 2019, 08:41:52 PM
I make mine with a hole saw. I can't recall the actual size but it will allow a canning jar ring to slip through but hangs up on the lip at the bottom of the ring. #8 hardware cloth on the bottom side of the hole is a good idea-makes refilling much easier. :smile:
2 3/4 inch is the size of a canning jar lid.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: herbhome on March 27, 2019, 04:39:09 PM
Thanks Jim :smile:
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Sour Kraut on March 30, 2019, 06:45:26 PM
The 'slot' is for a Bee Escape device. Good luck finding one that fits and stays in place and actually does the intended job.............

When making inners, I just chuck a 2-3" hole saw in the drill press and make two holes, 'fore' and 'aft' about 4-5" in from the ends.

One for a feed jar, one to give access to feed patties on top of the inner.........and because my drill press doesn't have enough reach to let me drill one 'dead-center'.
Title: Re: Hole in inner cover
Post by: Beeboy01 on April 01, 2019, 08:36:58 PM
I cover the hole with a small piece of luan plywood and use a piece of the same with a hole in it for a feeder. Tried some window screen stapled over the hole for ventilation  but the bees covered it over with propolus. I have some real old inner covers made by Root with side vents and the bees plugged them up also.