Size of entrance pondering.

[Patrick]

I was wondering about the size of the opening on a standard 10 frame box and why it is the size it is.  All the “natural hives” I have seen have had very small openings.  For example there is a very large colony in a wall at a friends house.  It has been there for 10 years and has always had may bees in it.  The opening is the size of a penny.  Now, I have only come across about 5 natural colonies, mostly in trees and walls and I wonder if they will set up shop with a very large opening?.  Do bees prefer a smaller entrance? And if a screened bottom board is place wouldn’t a smaller entrance be better if that is what bees would choose for themselves.  Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Patrick

[Beaches Bee-Haven Apiary]

As with all our snazzy mass manufactured equipment, I think the main reason is just what is the easiest to make, market, and still work. I find it interesting, however, to compare Brushy Mountain's wooden hives and their entrances to BetterBee's Polystyrene hive entrances. BetterBee's entrances are about one bee wide whereas Brushy Mountain's are about three bees wide. I prefer the one bee wide entrance because I think the bees can defend it better.

Also I'll judge the hives strength by the activity around the entrance. I'll open up the reducer as far as I can as long as bees are covering all of the opened entrance. This way I know the entrance is well protected.

-Nathanael 8-)

[JP]

I have dealt with hundreds of feral hives, The entrances are usually small openings, but some are large, like in trees. I think its somewhat of advantage to have a large entrance in some instances. The main reason would be for ventilation purposes. A large congested hive can use all the ventilation it can get.

[Michael Bush]

Natural hives also have a lot of bearding, a lot of traffic jams and a lot of swarming.  :)

[JP]

true, usually lots of bearding, especially here, where its hot and humid.