Using a grain bag as an inner cover

twb · April 20, 2009, 07:21:55 PM

For some of you who use grain bags as inner covers, do you cut a hole in the center for ventilation and for the bees to exit for an optional upper escape?

Michael Bush · April 20, 2009, 08:25:19 PM

No need for a hole. They breath a little and that's the point.

chemlight · April 22, 2009, 06:42:30 AM

Would someone mind explaining the use of a grain bag for an inner cover? What type of bag? Burlap or paper? I have a lot of chicken feed bags but they are paper. Do you just cut them to size? Want they eat the paper?

I don't use inner covers due to cost, but making one out of a grain bag seems like a great idea!

contactme_11 · April 22, 2009, 01:16:03 PM

Quote from: chemlight on April 22, 2009, 06:42:30 AM
Would someone mind explaining the use of a grain bag for an inner cover? What type of bag? Burlap or paper? I have a lot of chicken feed bags but they are paper. Do you just cut them to size? Want they eat the paper?

I don't use inner covers due to cost, but making one out of a grain bag seems like a great idea!

I'm not sure but I would assume burlap. Paper would just fall apart after wicking up all the moisture in the hive.

steveb · April 22, 2009, 01:27:36 PM

I would assume that the grain bag type in question is one of the white woven plastic-like cloth grain bags. I get tons of them when buying grain or custom mixes from the grain mill .
Now Nutrina bags are also now made of the same type of material but with a glossy printed outer coating and are even more durable but stiffer.
Either should be better than paper or burlap.

rickomatic · April 22, 2009, 08:52:29 PM

So, with a regular inner cover, the oval hole is for ventilation, and with the grain bag, since they are a breathable material, no hole is needed?
I wonder if you could make one with something like Tyvek?

abeeco · April 23, 2009, 10:38:08 PM

tyvek may work but it flaps around a lot if there is any wind