Screened inner cover

[tom]

Hello

 I went to see a old friend today and he showed me a inner cover that was all screen. He said he had no more use for it so he gave it to me to use i was wondering would this provide good ventilation for one of my hives this winter i hear alot about good ventilation so would this be good for them for winter or will it hurt them.

Tom

[Michael Bush]

I will accumulate a lot of propolis.  The main use for these is moving the bees.  You can put it on top in place of the lid and keep them cooler while you move the hive.  Another use, if its a DOUBLE screen is to put it between two hives with a weak one on top.  I wouldn't do this in the winter because of condensation, but in the spring and fall this can boost a weak hive.

[Brian D. Bray]

Too much ventilation in the winter is bad.  You want a little to vent the moisture that condenses inside the hive but using a fully screened inner top will possibly cause to great of chill and only make for a mess come spring.  I'm not surprised he gave it to you.  It will make a good proplis trap if you're into that.