shallow vent boxes

[danno]

Being a newbee with a avid hobby of woodworking I started building everything I could get plans for.  I have SBB's, many deeps, many mediums, miller top feeders, inner covers, tele covers and a few nuc's.  I started building the shallow top vent boxes last night and was wondering if these are really nessesary.  I know they would provide alot of air movement but are they overkill.  Will just a top enterance give me enough ventilation

[danno]

No response Maybe I didn't explain this item right so let me try again.  This is a shallow 4" box with  10-3/4" holes drilled through the side walls at a uphill angle to allow rain to drain back out.  It sits on a inner cover with the according to the plans the center hole enlarged to 2"X4"  The Holes are screened to keep out unwanteds.

[Jerrymac]

I guess it is each to his own but I don't see the need for such a thing. I have screened bottoms and migratory tops with no ventilation. Haven't had any problems down here in the hot direct Texas sun. I'd say don't waste you time and resources. 

[Michael Bush]

>I know they would provide alot of air movement but are they overkill.  Will just a top enterance give me enough ventilation

Yes, a top entrance will give you enough ventilation.

[buzzbee]

I think propping the front of the telescoping cover with a small twig or stone is sufficient. I lift it just a little off of the front of the inner cover.  Not high enough to expose the inner cover .I have seen very little condensation with the entrance reduced. I have one hive that has only the mouse guard in front with no reducer on and it is faring about the same as the ones with a reducer.I think the ventilation boxes your building may be more beneficial in hot weather.
Let us know how it all works out.

[Brian D. Bray]

I prefer the top entrance.  To make one just construct a solid bottom board and turn it over.  I use flat stock which I tie together with a cross slat on each end and then use square (3/4X3/4) stock as a spacer between boards and hive body.