ventilation

[jl]

Do I need to provide more ventilation during hot weather (above 90) and how would I go about doing that?  Thanks in advance

Jeff

[Robo]

If the bees are clustering around the entrance, then they need more ventilation.  Easiest way is to prop the cover up with a couple of sticks.

[jl]

thank you, not clustered yet.

Jeff

[fcderosa]

slats - worth the investment

[jl]

not worried about the price, but do slats really help?

Jeff

[amymcg]

They can help cut the drafts to the lower parts of the frames which encourages the queen to lay down to the bottom of the frames. I don't think they help any with ventilation really. My slatted hive still beards when it's hot.  I think the best bet is to prop up the cover a little with sticks or small rocks to create a chimney effect draft.

[rossman_2000]

Jeff,

Do you have a screened bottom board? These help with ventilation.

I have also seen a screened top board that can be used with a propped up outer cover.  This is good so that you can get plenty of ventilation and not have to worry about robbers.

Jason

[Potlicker1]

I've gone as far as lifting my top cover and turning it 90 degrees during the hot weather. It gives them a nice porch to hang out on.The bees are more than capable of guarding the top of the hive as well.

[KONASDAD]

Last year I had bottom board and traditnional top. Bees clustered and were angry. Added screeneed bottom board. Better, but still hot. Added slatted rack, much better still. This year I added a vented top from Honey run apiaries and even better yet. Relatively cheap and easy to copy now I have some. Also came w/ winter insulation w/ cutout for winter feeding. Looks good to me.

[annette]

Last year I had bottom board and traditnional top. Bees clustered and were angry. Added screeneed bottom board. Better, but still hot. Added slatted rack, much better still. This year I added a vented top from Honey run apiaries and even better yet. Relatively cheap and easy to copy now I have some. Also came w/ winter insulation w/ cutout for winter feeding. Looks good to me.

Yes, finally someone else who is trying out this wonderful ventilated cover. I bought 2 of them for my 2 hives. So far, no bearding even in the hottest weather. I think this cover is the greatest design.  I will have to stay in touch with you about how you would handle the winter with this cover. I was thinking of placing the winter insulation in, but keeping the cutout for ventilation. What do you think????

Annette
From Placerville

[tillie]

It's 90 here every day.  All of my hives have screened bottom boards, slatted racks, and propped tops as well as a 1X3 shim that I built for the SHB. 

One of my hive still beards somewhat, but it is my rambunctious hive and would do it if I gave them interior air conditioning just to show me that they are in control and not me.....but they are so much fun and have come from a weak almost dead hive at the end of the winter to rambunctious bees now - so I'm having a party even if they beard a little!  They make me feel like a beekeeper since I have turned them around from a Varroa ridden sickly hive to a thriving hive that is always threatening to swarm even when I give them unlimited brood space.

Linda T in Atlanta

[jl]

I looked at those ventilated inner covers last night and I'm going to order one.  it sounds like they work pretty well.

Jeff

[qa33010]

    I figure with upper entrance and SBB I should have good ventilation. 

[KONASDAD]

Last year I had bottom board and traditnional top. Bees clustered and were angry. Added screeneed bottom board. Better, but still hot. Added slatted rack, much better still. This year I added a vented top from Honey run apiaries and even better yet. Relatively cheap and easy to copy now I have some. Also came w/ winter insulation w/ cutout for winter feeding. Looks good to me.

Yes, finally someone else who is trying out this wonderful ventilated cover. I bought 2 of them for my 2 hives. So far, no bearding even in the hottest weather. I think this cover is the greatest design.  I will have to stay in touch with you about how you would handle the winter with this cover. I was thinking of placing the winter insulation in, but keeping the cutout for ventilation. What do you think????

Annette
From Placerville

I intend to leave the insert out as well, particularly as s pring begins to get going. I also use Robo's sugar candy recipe and use pie pans so they should fit nicely for early spring feeding if needed.Likem a lot so far.

[annette]

Another question.  So you will leave out the screen, and place a pie pan on top of the hole with a candy recipe?? Now a pie pan would be larger than this hole, wouldn't it???

I have the screen taped on with duct tape as I did not want the bees flying all around in the top. Is this what you do?

Also, what is this recipe and when is it used???

Thanks again
Annette

[Brian D. Bray]

simple solutions often work best.  For a overheated hive a SBB, a slatted rack, and a top entrance cures just about everything.  Not necessary to invest money in somebody else's expensive solution.  The top entrance along with the SBB provides all the ventilatiion a hive requires.  The slatted rack gives the bees a place to station themselves while airconditioning the hive and also provides additional space for extra (crowding) bees.  The slatted rack gives you more time to react when supering as the hive reaches critical mass slower (the extra room) so it aides at both swarm control, bearding, and ventilation.

[annette]

Yes, it is true what Brian says about a simplier way to go with all this, but I think it is nice to share other ways also. I understand when funds are tight, then lets go simple. Sometimes, I like to save up for something special for the bees.

I appreciate all the input I receive on this forum. You all add something.

Thanks
Annette