Inner Cover

[rail]

Not happy with the quality of the "inner cover" purchased; warped, inner board made from several pieces and gapping, does not sit flush around hive bodies! Maybe I expect to much? :?

Recommendations:

Brushy Mtn. - plywood inner board, pine frame
Dadant - masonite inner board
Better Bee - construction?

or someone else?

Charles

[VolunteerK9]

Or....

Migratory tops and no inner covers

[sterling]

Or....

Migratory tops and no inner covers

What do you make the migratory covers out of/ wood type, ect

[Kathyp]

i use migratory tops with inner covers.  i paint the inner covers.  they will get damp and they will warp.  some are made from pressboard like stuff and i'd avoid them.  i do have a few that were in a bunch of used stuff that i bought, but i immediately painted them with a latex paint and they have been fine.  i do not paint the inside of anything else.  not the hive bodies, or the cover.

and yes, you  might be expecting to much.  wood expands and contracts and warps.  you will have some gaps.  the bees will probably use them as alternative entrances as time goes by   :-D

[AliciaH]

For what it's worth, I've been happy with the masonite inner covers from Dadant.  They come with a wood rim, which I paint, and I haven't had any warping issues with them.

However, they are not good if you feed with an inverted far over the opening.  The masonite will bend under the weight.

[forrestcav]

Walter Kelly sells plastic inner covers. I'm gonna make my own.

[Kathyp]

For what it's worth, I've been happy with the masonite inner covers from Dadant.

they are good.

as for the warping with a jar on top, they all will do that.  the solution is to put a couple of pieces of wood under the cover on either side of the hole.  that way the weight is supported and the hole is not obstructed.

[AliciaH]

Thanks, Kathy!

[Michael Bush]

My covers:
http://bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm

No inner covers.

[rail]

Thanks everyone for the advice, it's nice to know how different set-ups work.

Charles

[VolunteerK9]

What do you make the migratory covers out of/ wood type, ect

I use 3/4 ply for mine. At first I didnt know if I was going to like them or not, but so far no complaints and they are far easier and quicker to make than telescoping tops.

[sterling]

What do you make the migratory covers out of/ wood type, ect

I use 3/4 ply for mine. At first I didnt know if I was going to like them or not, but so far no complaints and they are far easier and quicker to make than telescoping tops.

Do you use treated plywood or perserve or paint? And do you think they are as good in the winter since there is no dead air space above the cluster? I'm considering going to them also.

[VolunteerK9]

I have painted, treated plywood-its what I had at the time.

There are plenty of arguments about not using treated but so far I havent noticed anything detrimental going on.