Slatted Racks Y/N

jclark96 · October 19, 2009, 06:50:51 PM

I am currently running a slatted rack on my hive. I am splitting in the spring. Besides hiding SHB what are the downsides to slatted racks? What are your preferences? Thanks

Robo · October 19, 2009, 06:55:59 PM

The only downside I have seen with slatted racks is the added cost. I run them on all my hives.

rast · October 19, 2009, 07:11:52 PM

I use them on the hives that tend to beard heavily. If you haven't, do a "search" on here, they have been discussed a lot in the past.

jclark96 · October 20, 2009, 06:20:22 PM

I was looking for more specific info from someone who has experience with and without them. I have only had hives with them. That to me isn't really a good enough reason to keep using them. Like I said in my first post, I have had trouble with the SHB hiding in them, but I modified mine to close up all of the hiding places. Thanks again.

Robo · October 20, 2009, 07:41:26 PM

Well, I have about 20 years experience without them and about 15 years now with them.

Take it off and try it without it. Of course if you only have one hive, not sure any difference you see or don't see can be attributed to the SR since conditions changes from year to year probably have more of an effect.

Michael Bush · October 20, 2009, 08:43:10 PM

I used to own 25 of them or so back when I had 25 hives or so. They were ten frame and when I went down to eight frame they went by the wayside as I never had time to cut them down. I liked them. But not enough to buy the 150 or so I'd need now.

BeeHopper · October 20, 2009, 08:45:37 PM

Used them in the last 3 seasons on all of my colonies, no downside to them and worth the cost. :-D

PeeVee · October 20, 2009, 09:21:15 PM

I have two hives. First year. One hive with (rack I made in the shop - parallel with the frames) and the other without.

I know the rack allows more room in te hive but I really don't have enough information yet to offer a valid opinion.

In the spring, I wil be adding a rack to the hive that doesn't currently have one and will be constructing more for future hives.

I will also be discussing this with local beeks.

charlotte · October 21, 2009, 05:27:23 PM

They are especially nice if you are making comb honey. Gives me clustering space & less bearding. I leave them on all year.

Shawn · October 21, 2009, 06:07:39 PM

I started my hives without them and switched to them them this year. Saw a lot less bearding. It should allow the queen to go lower in the start of the spring.