slatted rack

[rsilver000]

Things have changed a bit since I last kept hives about 15 years ago.  At that time, I had 10 hives and lived in southern Illinois.  Now I'm in Upstate NY with pretty brutal winters, not cold, but lots of snow.  I have seen ads for slatted racks for under the hive bodies in several of the catalogues.  Are they useful and worth the money?  Some claim less cooling problems in summer (makes sense to me) and some better air flow in winter (also makes sense, but doesn't it make it too cold in the hive in winter?).
I wouild like to hear from you folks about this idea.
Thanks,
Rob

[newbee101]

I bought one and never used it. I went straight to screened bottom boards. Save your money and invest in a SBB.

[Robo]

Rob,

Fellow NYer here who use to swear by slatted racks before screened bottom boards.  The slatted racks releaved congestion and eliminated bearding.  I have since switched to screened bottom boards and no longer use the slatted racks.  
The SBB provide much better airflow (assuming you provide upper ventilation) than a solid BB and I see no benefit to using both the SBB and slotted rack together.  So by using the SBB I have eliminated 1 piece of equipment and still get the same results.
I know some claim the use an open SBB year round in the Northeast,  but I prefer to use a design that can be closed off like the plans at beesource.
http://www.beesource.com/plans/ipmbottom.htm

I like to keep them closed off until early Summer.  I find the hives will produce brood earlier and fast in the Spring if they can keep the hive warmer.

[leominsterbeeman]

I have been using slotted racks on all of my hives all year round and have not lost a hive in two years.

I do not use a SBB.

Peace from Central New England.

[Robo]

Oops just re-read your post and realized you didn't ask about slatted racks vs. SBB.

If you are using solid BB, then yes I would recommend the slatted racks.  Although I have switched to mostly SBB, I am not totally sold on them.  They have their pros and cons.  I still have a couple hives with solid BB and slatted racks, and just like leominister, they do just as well.

Yes the SBB does provide good ventilation, but the slatted rack does too.  There are some who claims that SBB help with varroa, but there are others that think differently.  I think you can find studies that support either side.

[bassman1977]

I would have to say that with your choices between solid bottom boards, slatted racks and screened bottom boards, screened bottoms are the way to go.

[Joseph Clemens]

http://www.cordovan-honeybee.com/statted_rack_SBB/SR_SBB_gallery.htm

[Michael Bush]

I like a slatted rack on a SBB.  You can usually skip the tray and get nice controled ventilation.  Are they worth it?  If you have hundreds of hives I wouldn't bother.  It's too much expense per hive and another piece of equipment to manage.  Why not buy one and see what you think?

[rsilver000]

I think I will try a SBB and a slatted rack on the 2 hives I am going to set up and see which one I like better.  They look pretty easy to build so I won't have invested too much time or money in either.  Half the fun is trying out new things and seeing what seems to work the best.  

Thanks to everyone for all your responses.  I love a good BBS with responsive members, it makes it much easier.  I belong to one on old MG cars and without their help I could have never rebuilt my 1950 MGTD over 3 1/2 years.  It seems as though this should be just as useful!
Cheers,
Rob

[fredtioga]

what is the purpose of the internal shelf?