top and inner covers

zzzzzzzzpr · July 28, 2013, 05:01:59 PM

my top covers are no more then 2x4 cut in half length wise and plywood.
I did add a 1x4 I plan to cut in half so its shorter and I can put on the other side.
now inner covers come with holes right and some don't?
I want to use an inner cover at the moment so I don't have to fight with the bees getting other covers off.
my top cover will have been set up to be used as a bottom board as well.
im not sure what im asking.
what the purpose of the hole on the side of the inner cover?
is it a must to have the hole on one of the sides?
I know u need the one in the middle of the inner cover.

Steel Tiger · July 28, 2013, 06:13:16 PM

The hole on the side lets out condensation. It can also be used as an upper entrance if the outer cover isn't pressed against it.

zzzzzzzzpr · July 28, 2013, 06:16:37 PM

so having the hole is a must?

millipede · July 28, 2013, 06:28:08 PM

The hole in the top of the inner cover is used for a one way bee escape to empty the supers before harvesting if you are not into chemicals and such. Most of the ones I have seen are screened over. I actually built an inner cover that is all screen because it gets so hot here in Louisiana. It is nice not having propolis gluing the cover down and the screen lets me see what the bees are up to before I open up the hive. Oddly I also have an inner cover made from plexi-glass. It is nice for watching the bees. I have it vented in a different way though.

Michael Bush · July 28, 2013, 10:45:45 PM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#innercover

Finski · July 29, 2013, 03:59:33 AM

.
Hole in inner cover is not a ventilation hole or condensation hole. It is for feeding.
In summer there is no condensation.

You need not a hole in inner cover, but I use it because is is a handy way to bees return to hive when I do operations.

ventilation hole under roof is harmfull because condensation happens onto rain cover.

I keep upper entrances. For example 6 boxes. First 3 has upper entrance and 3 supers not. I have seen that it keeps the hive too cold if entrances are open in upper half.

Finski · July 29, 2013, 04:02:16 AM

Quote from: zzzzzzzzpr on July 28, 2013, 05:01:59 PM

what the purpose of the hole on the side of the inner cover?
is it a must to have the hole on one of the sides?
I know u need the one in the middle of the inner cover.

I cannot understand what they are. At least they are not needed.

Outer cover loft needs ventilation.