Bottom Boards

bhfury · April 04, 2009, 02:30:26 PM

I see several beekeeping catalogs offer reversible bottom board for summer and winter bee entrance. Is there a hassle in reversing them or do most of you buy the standard bottom then use an entrance reducer? Any pro or cons using a reversible bottom board?

Thanks,
Greg
Farmington, NM

Bee-Bop · April 04, 2009, 03:00:25 PM

Same answer you got on the other board, why bother !
In addititon moving the hive bodies is more bee disturbance, and don't help the back either !

Join Your local Bee Club, and use Your Public Library !!

Every one does their own way.

Bee-Bop

bhfury · April 04, 2009, 03:09:24 PM

Quote from: Bee-Bop on April 04, 2009, 03:00:25 PM
Same answer you got on the other board, why bother !
In addititon moving the hive bodies is more bee disturbance, and don't help the back either !

Join Your local Bee Club, and use Your Public Library !!

Every one does their own way.

Bee-Bop

Thanks for commenting, but you are assuming we have a local bee club...which we don't. That's why I come to this site and others. Years ago when my I kept bees with my grandfarther, who was a commercial beekeeper, I don't remember using reversible bottoms. That's why I was asking about them.

Kathyp · April 04, 2009, 03:19:52 PM

i haven't used them. i use the screened bottom boards. i wouldn't think it would be more work since you need to get to the bottom boards in spring to clean them off anyway. if they were more expensive, i wouldn't see any advantage. remember, the bees in their natural state have small entrances, or multiple small entrances. the bigger the opening, the more they have to defend.

iddee · April 04, 2009, 03:39:17 PM

I use the 3/8 opening year round. No need for mouse guards or reversing. No need for entrance reducers on normal strength hives.

Of course, that is in NC. Canada or southern Florida may be different.

Bee-Bop · April 04, 2009, 04:34:14 PM

I build my own bottom boards;
they have both a slide in screen and a slide in mite board.
{ pic. somewhere on one of these boards }

No hassle moving boxes to clean.

Every body do it your way !

Bee-Bop

Two Bees · April 04, 2009, 06:58:53 PM

I use the reducer and 3/4 side of BB. I can't recall anyone on this forum mentioning flipping the BB depending on the season. Sounds like a good idea to prevent mice in the winter though!

Michael Bush · April 04, 2009, 07:50:03 PM

Most people I know have reversible bottoms and never reverse them. :)

Brian D. Bray · April 04, 2009, 09:56:27 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on April 04, 2009, 07:50:03 PM
Most people I know have reversible bottoms and never reverse them. :)

How true, I use my reversible bottom boards as migratory tops with the entrance reducer set to the smaller setting. Helps ventilate the hive. I also go bottomless ( :devilbanana: ) on my hives. I can slide in boards to regulate entrance size or monitor mite counts buy I hardly use them. I left my hives with top vent and bottom open all winter (temps to single digits) and they are going strong.