To Inner Cover or Not Inner Cover

[DayValleyDahlias]

The nuc I rec'd is an 8 frame deep, which now has a second deep on top ( no queen excluder ) has a migratory top...Our temps here do not get very high...an occasional day in the high 80's lower 90's...maybe a quirk of a day 104...the apiary folks I purchased my nuc from uses migratory boxes no inner cover...I am curious to know if inner covers are essential to a healthy hive?

Thanks

[wayne]

  The inner cover alows for easier removal of a telescoping cover. With the migratory I doubt it makes much difference.

[Robo]

Wayne summed it up quite nicely.....   I can't say I know anyone who uses inner covers with migratory tops.

[Kathyp]

i do.  i use bucket feeders.  it gives a little extra protection from our wet, crappy, winter weather.  i can prop up the top and they only have to guard that middle hole....not the entire edge.  i can take a peak through the middle and not take off the whole top....  :-)

[Michael Bush]

I concur.  Either you use a migratory or you use a telescopic with an inner cover.  There's no real reason to use an inner cover with a migratory cover.  If you want more ventilation, prop the lid up.  If you have condensation issues, in the winter, put some styrofoam on top of the cover.

[Sean Kelly]

This might be kind of a retarded question, but I've never seen the answer in any of my books, but what the heck is the inner cover actually for?  Why not skip the inner cover with a telescoping cover anyway?  Seems like my inner cover has only been good for sheltering earwigs from the elements. 

Sean Kelly

[Erik T]

The inner cover when used with a telescoping outer cover:

1) Helps with ventilation.
2) Provides an alternate entrance/exit to the hive.
3) Helps prevent squashed bees when placing the telescoping outer cover.
4) Helps prevent condensation.

[randydrivesabus]

it also keeps the telescoping cover from being propolised to the top of the hive body. but i think someone said that before.

[Robo]

Why not skip the inner cover with a telescoping cover anyway?

Give it a try and you'll very quickly appreciate the inner cover.  There is nothing like trying to take the cover off and the super comes with it and now you have a bunch of un-happy bees. :-x

[Michael Bush]

>Give it a try and you'll very quickly appreciate the inner cover.  There is nothing like trying to take the cover off and the super comes with it and now you have a bunch of un-happy bees.

But after it gets propolis on it, the telescopic doesn't blow off anymore.  :)

[Ross]

The inner cover when used with a telescoping outer cover:

1) Helps with ventilation.
2) Provides an alternate entrance/exit to the hive.
3) Helps prevent squashed bees when placing the telescoping outer cover.
4) Helps prevent condensation.

And a migratory top used alone:
1) helps with ventilation, just add a twig to prop it up
2) Provides an alternate entrance/exit to the hive, just add a twig to prop it up
3) doesn't squash any more bees than the inner cover itself does
4) helps prevent condensation, just add a twig to prop it up
5) doesn't cost money and create an additional piece of equipment to deteriorate.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Great information...I have a bunch of migratory tops...I'll just keep using them!

Thanks
All,

Sharon