Hive top addition.....

[SteveSC]

I got some advise from long time beekeeper about 6 mons ago and followed the advise.  Everyone probably already does this,...anyway this works.

The fellow said for me to put a 4' X 3' piece of barn tin ( 5V or whatever you have ) on top of the top cover of each hive.  Let it hang over approx. 1' front and back and 9" side to side.  Put a rock(s) \ brick(s) on it to keep it there in the wind  

He said the tin serves as a shelter - - no more wet porches - no more struggling bees thru the rain water on the porch - shades the hive - the 5V actually vents some of the heat away from the hive - protects the hive from the elements ( rain or snow ) - helps keep entrances open in the snow.  I put it on my hives and it seem to do what he said it would do.  I especially like the rain protection.  Try it - it might be something for you.  I just thought I'd share it.  

Steve in SC

[Michael Bush]

I have no porches or landing board.  I have no bottom entrances, in fact.  I have no overhangs.  My tops are exactly the same size as my bottoms and my hives.  13 3/4" by 19 7/8" (eight frames)

[kensfarm]

I've used boards to hang over the front of the hive to help keep the entrances dry.  But as hive becomes taller.. the shelter becomes less effective for keeping the landing dry.  

Made me think of building a front porch for the bees.. a porch roof that would hook & hang off the hive body.

[SteveSC]

Ken:  That is true about the higher the hive the lower the advantage.  

They work pretty well in the winter and spring when the hives are normally lower and there's more rain in those season's around here.

Michael: Without a lower entrance do you have a problem with dead bees in the winter collecting on your SBB or bottom board..?  

Do the bee take care of the dead for you or do you break the bottom brood box loose from the bottom board to clean them out...?

Without a top that overhangs at all have you noticed any increase in the deteioration of the hivesdue to the weather or is that the only way you've ever done it....?  

Steve in SC

[Michael Bush]

>Michael: Without a lower entrance do you have a problem with dead bees in the winter collecting on your SBB or bottom board..?

With or without they sometimes accumulate.  Without a top entrance the hvie sometimes dies when they do.  I have no more dead bees on the bottom board then when I had a bottom entrance.

>Do the bee take care of the dead for you or do you break the bottom brood box loose from the bottom board to clean them out...?

I dump them off whenever I happen to be at the bottom of the hive.  Usually about twice a year.  Usually there isn't much on them.  It was the same when I had bottom entrances.  I've watched the house bees many times in my observation hive, which has a bottom entrance, haul dead bees to the top and all around before figuring out how to get them out the bottom.

>Without a top that overhangs at all have you noticed any increase in the deteioration of the hivesdue to the weather or is that the only way you've ever done it....?

I used to have telescopic covers.  I haven't noticed any difference.  But then I also quit painting the hives.  :)

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#stoppainting

[SteveSC]

You might be on to something-----paint is very over rated.. :lol: