🔵Choosing the BEST bottom board for your bees!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ธ.ค. 2019
- Should you buy screened or solid bottom boards? Here we breakdown the pros and the cons of each and we leave it up to you for you to decide!
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Our goal is not to prove which one is better or worse. They both have advantages. My experience is that screened bottoms are not for me unless I am data gathering. There are reasons most professionals use solids. However, some of those reasons are cost and strength which don't apply to smaller scale beekeeping as much. Keep in mind there are ways to retrofit screened bottom boards to essentially give them the capability to be a solid bottom and give the beekeeper the best of both boards. I have not found the screens to reduce the Varroa population. Perhaps that is a test that we can do in the future. I don't care about being right or being wrong I just want to do what keeps my bees as healthy as possible and if that is me having to get on here down the road and say "I was wrong they do help with varroa" I am more than willing to do that.
Hmmmm... Central Ohio beekeeper here and I swear by my screened bottoms. Run them year round. Never noticed any problems with the queen not laying in bottom box due to light. Personally, I don't think bees have a problem dealing with cold air either, it's moisture that is the killer over winter. Some interesting points in this video.
Hi Kamon
A lot of beekeepers in Sweden use one ventilated bottom board and no top ventilation on the hive.
This bottom ventilation is always open for air to come in. In the regions with a lot of snow, the hive can be covered with snow and the bees still can get air thru the screened bottom board (there will be an airpocket under the hive that breath thru the snow).
Best regards Roger
Same here in Poland.
I use the screen bottom boards. I live in eastern Iowa. I place a piece of plywood under the screen and use 2 screws to secure it in October and remove it in May. This gives me good ventilation during summer and the warmth in the winter.
Thank you. A question was answered and you bring priceless value to all your videos. I appreciate you and your wife. I’ll keep tuning in
I use solid bottom boards, but have an added whistle. I use 2x4 rails and a 3/4" floor. I take a hole saw to cut hole towards the back of the bottom board the size of a large plastic mason jar lid. Place 1/8 hardware cloth over the hole on top of the board. Fill mason jar cap 1/2 full with mineral oil and insert into hole from the underside of the bottom board. There is a small piece of wood added to the cap to use as a handle. I have a pivot arm to slide over to hold cap in place. The bees chase hive bettles into oil and they die. You can check traps without opening the hive to see how many died beetles, change oil or can remove for extra ventilation.
Kamon, I use the SBB here in Richmond on all 24 of my hives. Inserts go in when temps drop to 40°F and stay in until mid April. Comment about moisture is right on target as any rain that comes in through the bottom entrance does not stay in the hive. Only drawback I have found so far is that returning mated queens do not always make it back into the hive and instead set up shop under the hive on the screen. Had it happen to two hives this past year, lost one of them and had to requeen the other. All the hives are 24" off the ground and I have not noticed any real problems with the brood nest not extending to within two or three cells from the bottom bar. I am going to try leaving the insert in on the nucs this spring to see if it makes a difference in build up. Thanks for the videos. You provide much better information than many of the other guys with 10k+ subs.
JWP
Hey JW. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Keep me posted on what you think in regard to the nucs with the inserts this coming spring. Also thanks for the kind words.
Kamon
I use the screen boards. I like how cappings fall out and I don't have as much problems with wax moths. This year i removed the catch board and screwed a piece of plywood under the screen to help with keeping cold weather out. So far i like this. Just remove a screw from front and back to remove my winter panel. The best of both designs.
When you attach the plywood, do you remove the screened bottom then turn it upside down to attach the plywood? Then put the hive back on after? Trying to understand your method.
Thanks Kamon, my philosophy is screened bottom board in summer and hard bottom board in winter to minimize draft.
I went to solid bottoms after having more than one queen returning from mating on the bottom of the screen, not knowing how to get back in.
I believe that I've had less robbing since I went to solid bottoms also.
Kamon, When I'm making up solid bottom boards, I build them "reversible". One side has the standard 3/4" spacing, and the other side has that same 3/4" spacing along with the center divider strip for the double nuc box. I extend the strip out even to the outside edge of the double nuc box.
I was moving my bees from the double nuc today. I got one side transferred, and then just flipped the bottom board and set down a single deep in it.
It's nice to have equipment that can multitask!
Beekeepers here in Texas are using screened bottom boards with boxed in bottoms with pans of cooking oil or dimatamious earth (Not sure how to spell it but if it's right it was an accident) for hive beatle control. I built a simular set up into my long langs.
Once again quality and informative, hands on information. Your opinionated views are a necessary part of your presentation. Thanks
Thank you very much for the hardware video. Been looking for a video like that. Thank you for the pros and cons that was presented.
I never had a screened bottom board and I like the solid bottom board as I can tell..
The droppings on the bottom board tells me stories what the bees or hive have done and also serves as a safety zone.
It is true that wax dropping and pollen droppings may create a breeding ground for beetles and waxmoth as I had them before at the bottom board, but at the sane time it prevented those bugs to move up into the frames and from destroying the frames so far between my checkups.
I read a article where only 10 % of mites fall thru a screen board when treating with powder sugar but a whole lot more of open brood will die when using powder sugar..
We live on anthill, so a screened bottom board would be a bad idea, we have ants of all kinds of different sizes to different colors and patterns of colors.
I’m in western North Carolina on the border with South Carolina. I prefer the screened board for ventilation. The insert is plenty in the winter as it allows some ventilation in to pull out moisture in winter but not enough to harm the colony’s ability to stay warm in winter. Summer is where the screened board shines in my opinion as it helps the bees keep cool. I’ve had an inside wall of the brood box covered in bees fanning to pump the heat out the bottom through the screen during a hot spell.
Another advantage of the insert is that you can adjust the size of the opening. Pull it all the way out or just pull it out an inch. Solid boards just don’t give me as many options as a screened board.
I use screened and insert but also have a permanent 1.5 in rigid foam below the insert. The sides of my bottom board are 2x4 which gives space for the foam. The foam stops heat loss in winter.
Nice! I was wondering about 2x4 bottom boards. Do the edges stick out past the hive box? Or you put the extra thickness inside? I was thinking of putting the extra thickness outside so the bugs wouldn't have a ledge inside. I could cut a slope outside so rain drains away.
Yo, K-Rod, here in Dayton Ohio, a screened but closed bottom, with a pull out sticky works best. Moths are bad.
Well done Kamon, Hopefully Folks will understand this info should be used and applied to the region you have bees in. Nicely explained.
I read about the Giant Asian Hornet arriving. There are traps to control them around the hives. One more thing we will deal with and win.
I like your posts. I have tries screened bottom boards and have not noticed any difference. That being said, here in south central Idaho (where we have real winters- 2 hrs from Yellowstone park) I, by mistake, left a small colony on a screened bottom board with out in the slide in, over the winter, yes a cold one, and it actually made it through the winter and I got honey off it the following summer. I REALLY don’t recommend doing that, especially leaving the slide in out!
Ken
Thanks, Kenneth. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope 2020 is a great year for you and your bees!
I have a combination of both screened bottom boards and solid bottom boards. I have been moving away from the screen bottom boards just because of where I live. In Northwestern Massachusetts we do have a cold winter but not as cold as up in northern Canada. But what I have seen over the last four years is that my hives with the solid bottom boards seem to build up a little bit faster in the spring than the ones with the screen bottom boards. But I have not done any hard-core scientific take data gathering. That's just from my observations. Another excellent video as always. And thanks for sharing.
I'm living in AZ now and we are hitting 112 in May today. Solid bottom boards aren't even a option.
I run screen bottoms in Canada with coroplast under the hive. I run them all winter too, no issues. Make sure wind cant blow on top of the coroplast and up into the hive and its all good.
Here in Quebec, Canada, many of us use screen bottom board ( apinovar bottom board was created here ) .
I don’t really like them better than solid one . In fact I prefer solid .
I just wanted to say that in the winter time here many of the beekeeper use screen bottom without the bottom drawer . It’s suppose to increase aeration in the hive to take away humidity .
The also wrap the hive with styrofoam and flexfoil bubble wrap and an upper entrance .
Maybe the snow help to keep away the draft and provide more insulation depends on hiw high your hive stand is.
Like your video .
Have a nice season
All one needs to do with a screened board is just cut some solid boards and install under screen for winter protection and you can have ventilation option in summer
Ha another great video, I like screen my self and I always use them hope u had a wonderful Christmas. keep the videos coming God Bless and have a wonderful day
In my opinion the Only thing a SBB is good for is Great Ventilation in Summer,BUT I have noticed that Nucs with screened bottom Always build up slower in Spring than Solid bottoms .I don't think SBB do squat for Varroa either,I'm with you on that.Also,SBB let moisture in if they too close to the ground, because it thaws outta ground right into the Hive.
I live in Northern California and prefer the Screened bottom board with a slatted rack. I also use a screened inner cover in most of my hives. I find there is a lot of information you can gather by looking at the sticky board . Sometimes I will put my cell phone under the hive and video up through the screened bottom. It's also how I do my OAV treatments. Extreme weather is not an issue here but I find less bearding from the SBB hives in summer.
Happy New Years and thank you for the videos
I use both, screen on top of solid. close up the lower to reduce drafts, open for ventilation. Western WA
Thanks Kamon. We're in Northern Alberta and so far have used only solid bottom boards. Thinking of trying a couple SBB though... Appreciate your opinions and experience.
Great info, I like the screen boards jus because I can put Demetrius earth on it and all the wax moths and hive beetles larvae die when they fall on bottom board.
I've worried that a strong wind might make that Diatomaceous Earth become airborne and get blown up into the hive. Has that ever been a consideration of yours or has that happened? I've used it in my house for crack and crevice treatments against ants. I use food grade and it is some very fine powder that is extremely flowable.
I know this video has been posted for a while.
This is what I have noticed about venting.
I am using a solid bottom board on both my test hive. One of my test hives has a vent rim right above the bottom board which is like Kamons feeder rim with 6 extra 1" screened holes and then a brood box and 2 honey supers and one more vent rim on top.
The other hive has a solid bottom board, no Vent rim on the bottom, has a brood box and 2 supers and 1 vent rim on the top.
Both hives closed the top vent holes with bee glue.
But what is the most interesting thing is that the box without the extra vent rim on the bottom gave me 7 capped deep frames, while the other hive with that extra vent rim on the bottom gave me 3 capped deep frames of honey. The other frames are full of honey they just do not cap it.
I think that to much vent will bring more humid moist air into the hive and the bees have a problem to lower the moister in honey so they can cap it off.
Without the interference of the bee keeper, bees move into places where they have smaller openings and they do a great job to circulate air if needed.
but they also leave the space and beard when they are unsuccessful in cooling it. have you tried a screened bottom board where air is flowing by the hive vs the "feeder rim" where it may be flowing directly into the hive?
This bloke really seems to know what he is talking about ! A smallish area of mesh in the rear of the board, should be enough to cope with SHB. A simple metal tray or lid containing diatomaceous earth under the mesh might be all you need. Bees will herd the beetles onto the trap. Australian beekeeper for 60 years.
I use both here in northwest Pa. But what I find out every year is that my hives with screened bottom boards always produce more honey then my solid bottoms.
I mostly use solid bottombords but tey leave apout 70mm or 3" of space under the frames and have a mesch in the back. This provides ventilation under the frames. I use this board during summer and winter.
The mesch is removable so that you can clean out ded Bees or insert a varroa screen from the back of the hive.
Having plenty of space and ventilation under the frames during winter helps to accommodate ded Bees that fall down during winter, tey also get frozen so they don't rot. I have found that this kind of bottombord provides more ventilation than the type of screened bottombord that was shown in the video. I use similar screened bottombords as the one in the video, on these hives I sometimes see Bees fanning att the entrance but never on hives with my other kind of bottombord. I know some beekeepers that only use these boards during the winter and have "normal" bottombords on the underside of the bottombord that they use during summer. I keep Bees in Sweden so the winters are quite long and cold.
All these people have ideas about ventilation and what the bees prefer or want. I can't tell you how many removals JP the bee man has done where bees are constantly packed the full length of a floor joist with a single entrance the size of a pencil. Some of the strongest colonies rooster or JP remove are the ones with the least amount of access or ventilation.
we are trying to find or create a long-term home for the ladies that provide the best possible environment and ventilation is not just about temperature. Dr. Tom Seeley from Cornell University did a study on CO2 and air quality within a hive. That information is also in his latest book.
DR, JP, and some of us unknowns have seen large colonies in what might appear to be in poorly ventilated or unhospitable areas, but they generally don't survive more than a season or two in those areas. The bees will build where they have to including open air hives which we know won't survive. I want my ladies to thrive in the absolute best possible environment and stay there year after year.
It depends on whether you travel with your bees. In the Netherlands we close the flight opening while traveling. Then you need the open bottom. Or you should use a travel screen. Lot of people in a small country.
Nice job! Thank you.
Good video - thanks.
Thanks again this is important information to me and is much appreciated 😊
Great info, I use both here in southeast Texas and haven't noticed much of a difference between the two. I'll assume the screened boards pair well with mauler/biter type bees. I honestly prefer the solid boards cause they are simple and cheap.
Great video. One thing you didn't touch on that I saw on a similar video is humidity. Bees want to keep the hive a specific humidity and that might be easier with a solid bottom board.
I use the varroa trap (screen with sticky board within) from Mannlake over a solid bottom board. Best of both worlds.
What keeps you from having both built into one hybrid bottom board? Why not have a solid bottom board, with a screen bottom section above it? You could have a vent door that either allows airflow ventilation beneath the screen or close it to prevent it. You would have the advantage of the screen and mite detection, but also the advantage of a solid bottom board closing off light and ventilation as needed?
Thanks !!
I use SBB only as a inspection tool I leave the tray in all the time with a little cooking spray on it
I like screen bottom boards with oil tray for keeping the SHB under control but I also like the solid bottom board less mess but have more problems with SHB here in Hawaii, good video 👍
I have mostly screened in central Oklahoma. I buy the screened ones from Mann Lake, and they are expensive. I make solid ones myself. I don't care for the way all the OA seeps out from the insert during treatment. I use heaping scoops of OA in my ProVap on the screens to make up for the loss. I had two absconds this year and one was screened the other solid. Another CON for screens - Pain in the arse to paint. Thanks for the video.
Over a year I have done extensive trials on screened bottom boards, if the mesh your using is #8 or 1/8 mesh be careful , as in metric terms is 3.175mm and a large full of egg hive beetle will not fit down and will remain on the screen and it’s only a matter of time before it goes to work in the hive.
What size screen is better? 1/4 " Seems too big. I didn't find other sizes; do they exist?
@@TheRainHarvester Bees will certainly make it through 1/4 inch. I use it on my swarm trap entrances to keep birds and larger insects out.
Thanks Kamon
I live in northern NY in the saint Lawrence river valley the cold here is extremely and I run screened bottom boards the cold is a factor but so is moisture if you don't give the condensation a place to run out you've got cold water on your bees all winter. That being said I've just started to use apimaye hives I think these take care of both problems heat and a place for water to go.
Thanks for the info you provide here. I was supposed to split one of my African Honey bee hives into 2 others hives and try one with screened bottom board and on solid to see which one is better in my area. But I didnt get it done this year. I will this spring. But I had a buddy here lose most of his hives this year to melting due to screened bottom boards(BB). Here is the Phoenix Metro there are days we get up to 115+. He did a couple years on screened BB but had them on a pallet, this year he moved them onto a stand and thinks it got to hot inside(the girls couldnt cool it fast enough) and the wax just melted. But there could have been other contributing factors. I use solid BB with screened inner cover and a telescopic cover for the heat to escape in winter I put pine shavings for insulation and moisture control.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and man 115 is way to hot! Keep me posted!
@@kamonreynolds But its only 10% humidity
I had a hodge podge of bottom boards in central illinois.
The factor that made me switch to all solid boards was small hive beetles. I can't explain why but my experiences just sort or steered me in that direction.
The ones that died in winter or were overcame by shb (rare) were always the screened bottoms so by attrition they were phased out. Didn't take long with 40 colonies and real winters.
Weird i thought screened bottoms helped to get rid of shb. Did beetles walk into the hive through the screen?
I slide in a wood solid bottom piece and put foam on the outside.
OMF (Open Mesh Floors), SBB (Screened Bottom Boards), were used pre varroa. Information from the 1990's may be of interest. www.dave-cushman.net/bee/kenhomf.html
Good video. I use solid bottom boards. Tried screen bottom boards but had ant problems. Summers in Vermont can be hot and humid. I made screened inner covers so I can put a shim under the lid to help vent the hive. Never had a issue with temperature control or brood. Just close the covers at night. Those Asian Hornets are now our new problem. Thanks global trade.
Did your state get rid of the Asian Hornets?
(Vespa mandarinia), also known as the Asian giant hornet or "murder hornet", is only known to exist in the Pacific Northwest of North America, specifically in Whatcom County, Washington State. It was first detected in the area in fall 2019 and spring 2020, but it's not clear if it's established there.
I use a screened board on top of a solid board
Here in Southern Pennsylvania/MD line area I run all screened bottom boards and put the inserts back in during the winter. Normally I remove them for the summer but this year I experimented with keeping these inserts in partway during the summer to see if I could get the queens to lay in the bottom box more and it worked. So I agree that the "light" or the ability to regulate the inner hive temperature more efficiently has some merit and advantages. Being able to pull a bottom board during winter can also tell you a lot about the conditions within the hive and what area (side) of the hive the bees are clustering... how much food is being consumed (evidenced by the amount of chewed cappings) or if there are moisture issues evidenced by lots of mold and possible pests such as wax moth or hive beetles in the debris. When I've used solid bottom boards I've ended up with moisture issues and build up of "mess" which allows for pests to find favorable housing. On the other hand that could also be chalked up to the bees not being very good house keepers which isn't a trait we want to perpetuate. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed and thank you for emphasizing that were you live plays a major role in how your bees are managed.
Thanks for sharing you experiences Nancy!
Absolutely agree with this. I am constantly looking at the inserts, and can determine / diagnose all sorts of things about the hive. This works well for me as a hobbyist / small sideliner. I can 'inspect' the hives in an apiary in a few brief minutes before or after work and act upon any issues efficiently, when I would otherwise have been unable to maintain an awareness of the state of the hives through a normal inspection. I'm in north-central Ohio btw, and also use slatted racks.
Thanks Kamon. This video gave really valid points as succinctly as anyone I have seen on this subject. You do a great job! Perfect timing as I just bought three solid bottom boards by accident. I thought my two hives that appear to be doing well (currently) have solid bottom boards. (My brother gifted me with two nucs and the woodenware.) Ends up, I was out working with the bees on a balmy Christmas Eve (65 degrees) and realized they were screened. Anyway, I couldn't return them and started down the path of researching which is better, if I could retrofit them to be screened bottom boards, etc. I concluded to keep them solid, for the reasons you listed. Where were you three days ago?! My research would have gone faster. However, you did help validate what I was thinking about what I needed to do or not do.
I am in the middle of watching your series of nuc vs. package and I believe you have helped me make that choice for the upcoming spring. Thanks for pointing out issues I had to deal with, and forgotten, with packages.
I have a long langstroth hive. I have a full screened bottom. This year I had a huge problem with it. It was great for ventilation but unfortunately I had a serious problem with SHB.
But i thought screen bottoms helped to get rid of SHB? How did screens increase SHB? just curious
I use to have screen bottom board and I had more problem then I switched to salid bottom and I'm in NY
Is it possible to switch back and forth on bottom boards or will the bees not like that?? Thanks
Why don't solid bottom boards have an angled front like SBB? It seems like the rain would drain better preventing less wood rot.
The problem with solid boards are that they trap water especially if the hive is not tilted forward. Nothing worse than a wet bottom board filled with moldy bees. They also give shb a place to hide. Bees build comb hanging on tree branches.
True they do sometimes, but their brood is always in the center where it is most dark and typically the colony perishes everytime it is in the open like that. Not saying one is better than the other really but that each one has pros and cons. Up to you to choose which you think would be most beneficial.
Very Nice
I use recycled hdpe plastic single migratory boards no rot ever 1/2 tall entrance .
I have questions! We are BUILDING beetle buster bottoms. Is there any NEED to use slatted rack too on bottom (help prevent swarming/ventilation so queen lays lower in frames) or the slats not necessary?
Thanks good info! Is there a sticky substance that lasts a longer time than vegetable oil?
I have a question. This is my first hive. I have them in a deep 8 frame from a 5 frame nuc. It will be two weeks in a few days. My bees are covering the entrance and it’s raining is this normal. I was going to put on a second deep but with the rain this weekend it must wait. Also I haven’t been able to see my queen and any eggs. I see brood. Also the frames are so full it’s and me being new can’t see the frame. Any idea on the bees packing the entrance. Oh the bees I am told our Italian
Did you do a build video that you mention near the end of the video? What do you think about using a screen on half the bottom board? I live in MS, so we have the warmth and humidity to deal with, but sometimes we can dip down into the teens. I had not heard about the brood deterrent that light produces. Thanks for an interesting video!
If you were to use the solid bottom boards would it not be the same difference to just put a solid bottom on the hive itself? I’m experimenting with running all 5 frames and possibly putting some screened 1 inch holes in the bottom for ventilation. Thoughts?
Are you rotating mites treatment or are you only using oxalic acid as a treatment? Can mites build up a resistance if you only use one technique to treat for mites?
Canada here solid bottom only here
I tried something different this fall. I placed a sheet of plywood under the screened bottom board to help with cutting down on the light. I still have the plastic board under the hive to check for mire drop and I can close the back slot if I need to. However the wasps like it in the space. What are your thoughts? 🐝
I like it and I think a hybrid is the best way
Your summer heat seemed to be just about as hot as it was here in MS. I run SBB, but my Nucs are solid. Do you do anything special for ventilation on your solid board hives during summer?
Hey Burley Bee, I just run solids with no ventilation.
I ran screen bottoms on hives in AZ and solids. I found the bees would build up faster and be healthier with solid bottoms. I got rid of all.my screen bottoms.
Without screens, how do you get rid of beetles? Just curious
@@TheRainHarvester no beetle issue in az at all.
@@sparksmobilerepair4025 oh that makes sense. So many regional differences to consider! Thanks. I made a hive stand on my channel....I'm getting ready.
@@TheRainHarvester yea it all depends on area pests and climate for sure. Now I'm in California and there are more problems here like I've never seen. In az I only treated once or twice a year. Here in California I have to treat ever other month
@@sparksmobilerepair4025 how do you keep the honey from medications/treatments? Or do the treatments you use not matter to human honey consumption?
I put my first beehive stand video on my channel. If you can see any improvements, could you leave a comment on it? I'm learning! 😄
👍👍
That’s why you’ve got more than one index finger
Thanks Kamon, I use a solid in eastern Va and am happy with them. could you talk about screened inner covers? I was thinking about using those in the heat of the summer.
Hey Barbara, That is idea I have not thought about. I will try to do that in the future
I used four this past summer as an exp. and they propolised them.
John Watson Ahh I had not thought about that. All of it? I just thought that it would be a better way to cool off a hot hive since heat rises.
Bees control the temp and humidity levels in the hive for optimal brood rearing and curing of honey. I suspect they'd have a much harder time doing this if there is a "large volume" of open entrance space or top venting that constantly changes with weather conditions outside the hive. Bees choose cavities for a reason... Moving confined bees would be a different situation.
You have a check beside pheromone lose...why is that a positive with screened bottom boards?
That was an error Nice catch!
what do you suggest for central alabama and south? I have both and can build both if needed
Healthy bees will do well in both for sure. Just depends on what you want really. I prefer solids myself.
What about a solid one for winter and a screen one or one with screened holes for summer?
That could work. Also some make their own screened bottom boards to accommodate a 1/4 inch sheet of plywood which makes it nearly a solid bottom board during winter.
My two-cents... If you've got the money to invest in both and room to store the extra equipment... but hefting those honey supers in fall to make the switch would be a weight lifting exercise and possible self injury not to mention pissed off bees and possible robbing situations.
What direction should I face my hives....thanks
Many recommend south but I do whatever is best for me. I have bees facing all directions and the ones that have a good queen, dead mites and good nutrition do good in any way.
Yeah, like you say, most of us have noses.
Fixin + get er done = ?
One the subject of bottom boards, here in Southern Michigan.. heat is not necessarily a problem but -20° is semi common during the winter months( wind chill ) . So we always used a solid bottom ..But my question is why couldn't I build a deeper bottom board to accommodate sliding in a whiteboard when using acid?
Also, what is your opinion on this NASA space shuttle heat reflecting paint? I guess what I'm asking is have you heard anything good or "bad" about it? The new hives that coming are all going to need painted.. I would really value your opinion
...
spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2003/er_4.html
Edit .
The insulating value of the summer heat would be nice but more so cold insulating value for me.. yea I'm sure the initial cost would be double or triple of plain o latex paint in the short-term. But I'm wondering what advantages would pay off in the long run..
You could make a deeper bottom board but be prepared for the bees to build comb on the bottom of the frames.
@@spicyflyhoneybees1478 dang I did not think of that! Excellent point they would .
Hey Joe I haven't even heard of it till this morning I will have to read up on it. Sounds pretty cool.
@@kamonreynolds I don't remember where or who's bee site it was, but that's where I got the link to it yesterday.
Most people have no idea how to use a screened bottom boards .. no difference than solid with drop boards installed . Your drop boards missing the shim that seals out draft
Screen bottom boards make no difference with varroa mites.
t-shirts Kamon??? Honestly?!?! We have had snow in Toronto since November.
Sorry!
@@kamonreynolds haha
@@kamonreynolds Speaking of T-Shirts. I think it's time you throw some merchandise up, a Tennessee's Bees t-shirt would suit me just fine.
It's tough when the camera woman laughs at you....
Love the information but ya need better lighting. Video was very dark