screened bottom board and winter

[slacker361]

I am assuming that i should put the slider in the screened bottom board for winter?

[Kathyp]

i do.  i don't think you'll find many hive in the wild, in our northern climates, that have their bottoms hanging open.   :evil:

[VolunteerK9]

Thats another million dollar question. Some say put one in, others say leave it open all winter. Ive got half of mine open and the other half closed up so I will know next year what works for me. I'm about 700 miles south of you, with varied winters.

[Michael Bush]

http://bushfarms.com/beeslocality.htm

[Joelel]

I am assuming that i should put the slider in the screened bottom board for winter?

I'm in Texas and I put closure boards in when it gets down to 60s at night and 80s in the days. Bees must keep brood around 91 if I remember right, it's much easier when you help them.Worker bees help keep them warm when they are needed, when they are not needed it frees them up to do their job.

[Jim134]

I am assuming that i should put the slider in the screened bottom board for winter?

   I do use screened bottom board their are open all the time .


    BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[trapperbob]

I never use them except to take a mite count and im in Nebraska and we get way down below zero in winter. I've found so long as they have plenty of stores they do just fine. As a rule I try not to take any fall honey unless there is a sizable surplus this way they have more than enough for winter. Ive never lost bees to the cold only to a lack of food. That being said do what you feel comfortable doing no two beeks seem to do it the exact same way and most are succesful. Dont be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

[pollenchucker]

Funny last year everyone here said keep them open as they were intended to be.  Now we are closing them back up.  I left mine about 1.5 inches open just to let in a little air.

[mathew]

I leave mine open all winter last year. Helps in ventilation. Bees aren't afraid of the cold just the dampness. I'll do the same this year.

[bugleman]

I like the ventilation that the open bottom gives the hive.  I do believe that cold wind (less than 20-25degrees F)  will make them burn up honey very fast if left open.  This year I will slide in the bottom covers when we get our first cold snap and remove them some time in late February.

[KD4MOJ]

keep mine open year round 'cept doing the mite count.

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

[Two Bees]

I close mine up last week using a political sign that I cut to size.  I made sure that the elections were over though!   :-D

I decided to close them up to keep west wind from blowing up through as well as to prevent light from entering.  I read in one of those many articles written that compared solid BB to screened BB and it mentioned that it appears that the queen doesn't like to lay in the frames near the light.  But what do I know.......I have half of my hives with solids and the other have with screened.