CHANGING BOTTOM BOARDS

KONASDAD · May 16, 2006, 11:13:10 AM

My hive has an attached(stapled) bottom board. I beleive it would be beneficial to switch to a screened & slatted combo bottom. Is this a good idea? If so, ...
How do I safely switch out the existing bottom board?

What order do I place the new screened and slatted bottoms?

Lastly, and unrelated, are pollen traps a good idea? My allergies are killing me, and some pollen might be helpful(hopefully). If so, top, bottom front entance types? Thanx in advance as usual.

Michael Bush · May 16, 2006, 11:32:32 PM

The typical staples for attaching bee hive bottoms are the 2" ones that are on the sides. Is this what you have? If so, just pull them out. Put the lid on the ground and stack the entire hive on the lid and remove the bottom board. Put the new one down and restack.

Brian D. Bray · May 17, 2006, 03:58:42 AM

I use both the screened bottom board and the slatted rack, but have modified the slatted rack so that the racks run parallel to the frames this way the mites fall through and don't get hung up on the slats where they can hitch a new ride. I use 1 inch dowling so that even if the mites land on wood there is still a chance they will roll off and fall through the screen.
A hive staple can span across the rack from bottom board to hive body but I prefer to staple each piece.
I've started making my own combo screened bottom board and slatted rack unit but it's still in the construction stage. I'm building the jigs as I go. The design also has the entrance on the wide side so that I can access the hive from the rear from my wheelchair. If enough people are interested in it I'll post a picture and the plans when I get it finished.

mat · May 17, 2006, 07:29:54 AM

I am going to replace the bottoms in my two hives today. I bilt the screen bottoms but also with under floor entrance. Has anybody used that?

TwT · May 17, 2006, 07:40:14 AM

I started making one a month or so ago but haven't been able to finish because lack of time... heres is were I got the Idea from...

http://www.bbka.org.uk/freefiles/diy_open_mesh_floor-graham-white.pdf

mat · May 17, 2006, 08:57:53 AM

This is what I based mine on. If it works for them shoud work here too.

KONASDAD · May 17, 2006, 11:22:21 AM

Yes they are the staple variety. I moved ny hive last week(30ft) at about 8:00 PM and the bees were aggressive. I drove them in my car for an hour and they were docile the day i received them. So I am a little leary of changes at the moment.
i SHOULD DO THIS BY DAY?
Yes some plans would be great too!

mat · May 17, 2006, 08:35:18 PM

I changed the bottom boards in my two hives for screend with underfloor entrance ones today. They were quite confused but soon learnt how to get inside. Now I have question for those who use sbb. When do you open it completely (so there is just the screen undrneath), or maybe you keep it open all year round during winter too, or you regulate how wide it is open depending on the temperature? I had also an observation that you may look with the mirror and see what is going inside. Has anybody used that method?

TwT · May 17, 2006, 08:56:57 PM

Quote from: matWhen do you open it completely (so there is just the screen underneath)

,

as soon as I put it on it is wide open, I made my own and don't have the closer selection ;) ....

Quote from: mator maybe you keep it open all year round during winter too

,

all year mine is open...

Quote from: mator you regulate how wide it is open depending on the temperature?

never done this...

Quote from: matI had also an observation that you may look with the mirror and see what is going inside. Has anybody used that method?

never done this either...

Michael Bush · May 17, 2006, 09:45:07 PM

>i SHOULD DO THIS BY DAY?

Never work bees at night. Never work bees if they aren't flying.

Brian D. Bray · May 18, 2006, 02:23:14 AM

The indications are that the extra ventilation of a SBB seems to invigorate the bees. I designed mine with trays. When I finish making them, I plan to use with open bottom during the spring and summer as this has the added advantage that the mites are not going to climb back into the hive.
The tray is there, if needed, so that mite contol can continue all winter long. Greasing the tray just like you would with SHB prevention gives you one treatment for two problems. In winter I believe it will be possible, on milder days, to check, wipe clean, and re-grease the trays about once every 3-4 weeks.
That's my action plan--I't one I've decided on after a lot of consideraton.