Top and bottom entrance size.

RHBee · April 05, 2014, 01:14:11 PM

Would openings of 5/16"X3" be sufficient if using both top and bottom entrances. By sufficient I mean adequate ventilation as well as adequate pathways for traffic during peak flows.

Wolfer · April 05, 2014, 02:18:48 PM

Certainly enough for ventilation here. Possibly more than they need. It'll take a pretty strong hive in a good flow to need more entrance than that.

RHBee · April 06, 2014, 05:59:59 AM

Quote from: Wolfer on April 05, 2014, 02:18:48 PM
Certainly enough for ventilation here. Possibly more than they need. It'll take a pretty strong hive in a good flow to need more entrance than that.

Thanks, I've been to SW Missouri in the summer. It gets pretty hot. I'll go with it.

BlueBee · April 08, 2014, 06:17:23 AM

In the winter, I go with about 9mm x 3" singled slotted (top entrance in the winter). In the summer my hives would overwhelm a single 3" slot; not sure what would happen with 2 slots though. In the summer, I open my slot to its full width, which is about 9mm x 13".

derekm · April 08, 2014, 11:08:53 AM

Quote from: BlueBee on April 08, 2014, 06:17:23 AM
In the winter, I go with about 9mm x 3" singled slotted (top entrance in the winter). In the summer my hives would overwhelm a single 3" slot; not sure what would happen with 2 slots though. In the summer, I open my slot to its full width, which is about 9mm x 13".

9mm x 3" !

do you use
Kg per Acre
Bushels per hectare?

BlueBee · April 08, 2014, 04:26:52 PM

The general population over here uses the antiquated British units and is unlikely to ever change, so when in Rome do as the Romans :) I use metric for all my work.

Regardless of units, the slot is too short for summer traffic in a full sized hive IMO.

RHBee · April 08, 2014, 10:11:33 PM

Quote from: BlueBee on April 08, 2014, 04:26:52 PM
The general population over here uses the antiquated British units and is unlikely to ever change, so when in Rome do as the Romans :) I use metric for all my work.

Regardless of units, the slot is too short for summer traffic in a full sized hive IMO.

Aside from the unit mixing I hear what you're saying. The upper entrance is more flexible than the lower. I'm simply shiming my inner cover. I can easily make it full width X 5/16". I'm just wanting to give enough ventilation for the summer heat. The bottom entrance is a dado cut in the bottom oil pan. I just finished building 8 of the bottom board oil pan combo. Took all day. SHB take quite a bit of management here.

Carol · April 09, 2014, 12:56:09 PM

I'm in central FL....gets hot here...and humid. I have 2 deeps for broodnest...will have 3 supers on when I have to leave for awhile. Should I put a small top entrance in my inner cover (along edge about 1") so the bees can use that to get to the supers? I am concerned about wax moths and SHB getting in if they don't guard it....also...would 1" be big enough.
I have an inner cover with a screened inner cover on top of it under the telescoping cover.

If ventilated that way...how do they keep the temperature down when it's really hot.

RHBee · April 09, 2014, 11:14:46 PM

Quote from: Carol on April 09, 2014, 12:56:09 PM
I'm in central FL....gets hot here...and humid. I have 2 deeps for broodnest...will have 3 supers on when I have to leave for awhile. Should I put a small top entrance in my inner cover (along edge about 1") so the bees can use that to get to the supers? I am concerned about wax moths and SHB getting in if they don't guard it....also...would 1" be big enough.
I have an inner cover with a screened inner cover on top of it under the telescoping cover.

If ventilated that way...how do they keep the temperature down when it's really hot.

Carol, if you have a screened inner cover and you want to ventilate just add a couple of shims between the telescoping cover and the inner cover.

Carol · April 10, 2014, 10:09:40 AM

RHBee... I wanted to make it easier for the bees to get to the supers since I have 2 deep brood boxes.

RHBee · April 10, 2014, 11:54:00 AM

Quote from: Carol on April 10, 2014, 10:09:40 AM
RHBee... I wanted to make it easier for the bees to get to the supers since I have 2 deep brood boxes.

I've never seen a problem as long as they have a full size entrance.

Carol · April 10, 2014, 12:35:23 PM

They both have full entrances....guess I wont push my luck...they might have to work a bit harder.

Carol · April 14, 2014, 05:10:39 PM

RHBee....I'll try that. I have a regular inner cover and a screened cover (window screen) over it. I can put a washer on each corner to help with ventillation....I don't think ants or moths can get through the window screen. Fire ants could but the big red bull ants hopefully will have a problem. That is why I have them on.