new outer cover

[rgy]

i want to build a outer cover that slanted like a house roof to shed water and snow during the winter and help with ventilation.  I like the copper one that is on betterbee.com site but I am not going to build it with copper for my bee yard.  the one on betterbee has screen covered hole in the bottom and screen covered hole in the front to alllow ventilation.   Today I took one of my extra covers and:

took off the tin cover on top.
drilled a 2" hole in the middle of the top and covered it with window screen
cut and attached front and rear "trusses"  made out of 1x4
attached half inch plywood as roof decking
drilled 3/4 inch vent hole in each of the trusses and covered with window screen
covered the roof with tin.

so it looks like the one on betterbee but has a 3/4" hole in front and back.

I also have a 3/4 inch hole in my top hive boxes for a winter bee exit.

now the question is.  with a screened bottom board, a small lower entrance, 3/4" top entrance and the holes in the new cover do you think I have too much air entrance for winter???

I could put a cork in one or both of the cover vents during winter and open in spring if you think it is too much.

[Michael Bush]

You're in Michigan?  I would close the screened bottom board with a tray.  I would close or reduce the bottom entrance.  If you reduce it, I would want a top entrance that is about 2" long and 1/4" tall.  I would close ALL the holes in ALL the boxes.  But then that's me.  I'd nail a tin can lid over every one of them and hope it stays on forever.  :) 

You only need a very small entrance at the very top.  You don't really need a bottom entrance but if you have one I'd make it a small one as well.

[T Beek]

Agreed;  Too many holes.  I'd plug all but one on top as MB described and close off SBB for winter.

(your new cover sounds great for next summer, but for winter I'd insulate it and plug up any holes)

thomas

[rgy]

thanks for the replies.  the hives are on a stand and i will close most of the area, were the sticky board goes, off for winter.  the bottom entrances are already reduced to a minimum and the top 3/4 hole is open.  So with your replies I think I will just pitch the roofs on the rest of them for drainage and plug the holes in the one i built already.

[rbinhood]

You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to top covers, they can be simple or complex it all depends on what you are looking for.  If you are a woodworker and have a lot of time on your hands you can get some amazing results.  If you like garden hives like my grandaughter then get to work and have some fun.  This is her lattest design which she painted and loves very much.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/dsc03127l.jpg/

[yockey5]

That box is awesome!!!!!!

[Poppi]

Now that is very clever...   love the paint scheme!!