Screened bottom boards?

DirtyDusty · May 23, 2011, 11:27:56 PM

Are these used often? I notice them in the supply catalogs, but I have never seen one in use with the hives I have seen locally.

joebrown · May 23, 2011, 11:30:15 PM

I have changed all my hives to SBB! I will not use a hive without one! Love them!

Kathyp · May 23, 2011, 11:33:52 PM

most of mine are SBB. i like them for catching swarms as i don't have to worry about ventilation on the way home. i have some solid boards also. i do use the inserts in mine for much of the year because of the wind and cold.
if cost is an issue, they might not be for you. you could try a couple of hives with and without and see what works best for you.

AllenF · May 24, 2011, 08:25:23 PM

I now have most of the hives changed over to screens. Leave them open all year. In summer I place oil trays under them. (need to do that soon if I can find some fish frys this weekend.)

AliciaH · May 24, 2011, 09:10:32 PM

I'm currently changing all my hives over to screened bottom boards. I'm lucky, though, my husband is making them for me.

My hive stands consist of tires filled with gravel, so though there will be added ventilation, there shouldn't be any issues with wind rushing through the hives. I'm going to try and leave them on next winter.

forrestcav · May 25, 2011, 03:06:54 PM

I started out with SBB in my first hive after doing some reading for IPM. I built mine from directions on here. It was 2- 2x4's, 2- 1x4's, and some 1/8" hardware cloth.

mushmushi · May 25, 2011, 05:02:15 PM

I have screened bottom boards but also screen boards + normal bottom boards.

I mostly use normal screen boards + normal bottom boards nowadays.

Mid spring, I add the screen boards on top of the bottom boards. Come late autumn, I remove them. I still perform formic acid treatments (flash) but I do hope one day I won't have to do it anymore.

sweet bee · May 25, 2011, 08:07:59 PM

I use SBB also, but I'm a little worried about small hive beetles having more access through the screen. Does anyone have any problems with this?

~Angie

AllenF · May 25, 2011, 08:39:50 PM

You can put oil trays under the screen bottoms for the beetles to fall into.

tecrench · May 25, 2011, 08:46:57 PM

Started out with them and then added a slat rack. bees seem to be doing good and no problems yet. Also great for looking in from underneath without having to open up

Larry Bees · May 25, 2011, 10:04:17 PM

Quote from: tecrench on May 25, 2011, 08:46:57 PM
Started out with them and then added a slat rack. bees seem to be doing good and no problems yet. Also great for looking in from underneath without having to open up

What's a slat rack? A picture would help. Larry

AllenF · May 25, 2011, 10:08:55 PM

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/10-Frame-Slatted-Rack/productinfo/672/

Larry Bees · May 25, 2011, 10:18:12 PM

Thanks Allen. Another product that I never heard of. Larry

forrestcav · May 26, 2011, 02:58:20 PM

slatted rack are suppose to make the queen feel safe enough to lay all the way to the bottom of the frames.

Bee-Bop · May 26, 2011, 07:29:49 PM

Quote from: forrestcav on May 26, 2011, 02:58:20 PM
slatted rack are suppose to make the queen feel safe enough to lay all the way to the bottom of the frames.

Never heard of that; However they do for a fact provide much need resting/cooling place for crowed hives, and do help to break any wind entering thru SBB.

Bee-Bop