Beekeeping | Are Screen Bottom Boards Worth it Or Worthless? Ep.2
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2021
- Beekeeping is so difficult to figure out especially in trying to figure out all the different types of hives and equipment. Today, in episode #2 we will take a look at the difference between a screen bottom board and a solid bottom board. Is a screen bottom board worth it or worthless?
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We make our own bottom boards, we make them screened, and add slides to accept a cookie sheet pan which is filled with saw dust when installed for winter, the saw dust serves 2 purposes, 1 it creates a somewhat solid bottom to keep the cold out, 2 it absorbs mositer.
Thanks David for the veidos, I took your complete bee keeping courses and they are so educational that I tell everyone who is looking to start keeping bees to take them before they start.
I am a second year beekeeper in VT and have spent a lot of time watching your videos . I love the information you give…also admit that there are many different opinions on the best way of keeping! I’ve recommended your videos to other new keepers. We discuss your information amongst ourselves often. Thanks!
I put the screen bottom board on in spring and the solid one back on in fall.
I use screened boards and just put the mite board in to seal the bottom in winter. In the summer, the bees waste a lot of effort keeping the hive cool with a solid one. Since bees "run" on honey, reducing their workload makes sense.
Commercial beekeeper so I use 4 way pallets but have a stack of bottom boards for excess spring splits and swarms. The screened bb's always end up crawling with sugar ants. Bees will provide their own ventilation with a proper sized entrance, in fact, they tend to coat the screens with propolis if I leave them on the screened bb all season.
Thank you for your very informative videos. I started bee keeping this year and love learning from you.
Thanks Dave, good info. I'm going into my first winter and this video also gave me good tips on how to think about using the cardboard bottom under my screenboard. Love it! I've also order my winter be kind boards, and taken your winter classes! You and your team have made my year one (2022) a lot easier! Thanks again! Kevin
Thanks Dave... Love the screen bottom boards, too!! Great videos!!
Willing to try screen bottom board for ventilation.
Thank you for your videos I try to watch all of them and learn something each time. I was speaking to my father the yesterday and I think he was quite surprised of my bee knowledge. Thanks to you!
Thank your for taking on another piece of equipment surrounded by controversy. Many beeks love some hate it. We are running a study on temperature and humidity comparing both in Houston Texas. So far there is not a significant difference on temperature below 79F. Most bees start fanning at 86F and then the screened bottom board gets a 3F advantage from 80F-86F. But summer just started, more to learn.
Thank you for the lesson on the screened bottom board. I started out with one when I started bee keeping, in Oklahoma the temps can get very hot in the summer. Again thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the video Rosalita. Be sure and join me on Thursday nights at 7pm for my lifestreams where you can ask a question or hear answers I give to other people's questions. Here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/live/
I believe I am going to give the screened bottom board a try. Thanks for the info.
I think it is useful to everyone . Thank you sir.
Hi David. I use screen bottom boards here in Maine because I found I had better honey production compared to the solid bottoms that I used for years. I do place a rectangle of rigid foam insulation under the board in the fall and remove it when the maples bloom in spring. Thank you again for the great videos. Best, Doug
Not sure how I missed it earlier but I just watched this video. As some say, there are as many reasons to use one as not to use one. Two items not mentioned: 1. When using a screened bottom, a lot of trash can fall below the screen on the insert. The bees are unable to clean it and I have seen pest larvae growing in the debris. Yes, an occasional cleaning of the insert helps. 2. When adding a new queen to a hive for any reason (package, nuc, re-queening etc) with the insert removed, the amount of light coming into the hive can create an environment that the new queen does not like. We sell queens and in our experience, there is a 30-40% chance the queen will leave the hive. We always encourage putting the insert in to block the light until the queen starts to lay.
Three of mine are screened and one is solid. Was going to try another solid but it was made to small. Thanks for your insight on both.
With summers temps up at 40 C and winter as low as -25 C this video has helped, so screen in the summer and then solid one when the cold sets in, many thanks.
Good afternoon Mr David,
It's 4/9/23 Happy Easter I'm down here in the mountains of North Carolina. I'm trying out this year screen bottom board, solid bottom board and the poly hives. I'm hoping the poly hives do the best for me just because of the cost of each hive. Thank you for putting out great videos.
Great info, thanks for what u do
Absolutely worth it! I know many people don't like it, I do see all the advantages and use it.
I am learning so much from these videos! I am a few years off from being ready to start my own first hive. But I want to be as prepared as possible when I am. I already have a list of tools and supplies that I know I will need, at your recommendation, but one thing I haven't seen a video for is choosing the right bee variety for you and your climate.
Do you have a video on that and I just can't find it? Otherwise, I humbly suggest you make one in the future for us total noobs. 😁
Thanks! I’ve got both but I’m using the screen bottom board!
Me too. I switched to screen bottom boards reluctantly after they came out, but now have some solids too over the last few years.
i have been using screened bottom boards almost exclusively since 2009, and have seen no noticeable difference between them and the old solid boards.really like your videos. please krrp up the good work
i'm going to go with a screened bottom board down here in central texas. - i am just beginning so I am going for a lot of learning experience, i've been my daughter-in-laws journeyman and we did her first extraction this weekend. Learning a ton by working the bees and watching your videos and will be implimenting some of your methods when installing my first hive next month. Either way David - love the content sir, keep it coming.
Hi Dave. I use both screen and solid bottom board. I use as needed for the seasons.
I've been waiting for your thoughts as I have both.
Love your videos and look for a new one everday. I am wondering how your granite slab worked out for your bee's on the back side of your shed
I like the mite prevention of it so it’s a win I’ll always use a screen bottom board
Love your videos. 50-50 on this issue. I found solid boards easier to make.
I use the screen bottom board so mites fall out. Thanks Eric
In a wet area like Seattle screen bottom boards left fully open all year improve ventalation (yes even when there is snow on the ground) and help reduce the condensation in the hive.
I really like this review series
I do use a top board so that it is easier to get the top cover off. It is easier to get my frame tool in between the top board and the frames then it is to get it in between the frames and the top cover. Thanks
Here in South Texas, I would have almost all my bees outside bearding with a solid bottom board. I tried a couple screens and it was a crazy difference. I have screens on all my hives now. I did loose 1/3 of my hives with the freeze this last winter, so I think I will be using your tip to put something on the inside as well as the sticky board for winter incase we have another extreme cold event. We just don’t see that cold and the rare times we do it has never been for a solid week like it was. Hope it was a once in a lifetime for us. Thanks for the tip, I will be putting it to use.
I'm testing a screened bottom board waaaay up here in Alberta. We're going through record breaking hot temps and that hive is the least bearded, although it is bearding. The bees were in the hive over winter with the board in place, but mine came with a piece of plywood inserted instead of that flimsy plastic slide in. It's warped(even though I'd painted it white so I could see what dropped on it) , I assume from the moisture in the hive over winter.
Bottom boards are the first to deteriorate from the moisture because they are closest to the ground.
I'm in Southern KY and use both bottom boards. Only bc I've gotta make some more screened bottom boards. I really like the screened board for ventilation, I also leave mine open yr round and never had any problems throughout the winter. Thanks for the video
Glad you enjoy the videos
I have both and I prefer the screened it has a lot of benefits, especially in these 106° with the humidex days we’ve had lately :/
thanks!
A friend of mine gave me this idea for the plastic insert that comes with the screened bottom board. I put diatomaceous earth on it and slide it right back into the slot. I do get the occasional dead bee when I check the board during inspections, but mostly I get dead hive beetles and wax moth larva.
I will keep that idea in mind. It seems like a logical modification that could do a lot of good as long as the diatomaceous earth doesn't somehow get on the bees. I wonder if any studies have been done on it.
Another great video. So much free information and knowledge. I checked my bottom board and I would like to bring it to your house so you can give me an in person analysis. I’m searching Google maps to locate your compound.
i have this type of bottomboards and i have been thinking about this problem for winter i live in Denmank on a small island were we have alot of wind in the wintertime
I have poly hives and love the screen bottoms. People say that poly hives collect moisture but they don't realize that you're supposed to keep the bottom open and the top vents closed in winter. This is well known in Europe but it seems north America is not up to speed on it.
1st year but i find the screen board a quick easy check to see if the hive is working
Here in the south I can see the advantage to a screen bottom board over the solid
I use Screen Bottom Board all year long.. and very satisfied with it. I have buckfast bees which are quite resistant against cold and humidity. I place the 'Varroa plastic sheet' only in mid February in order to make a 'warmer' environment into the hive and make the Queen starting laying eggs. I take it out after one month. Thus I can say only positive things over Screen Bottom Board.
I am using 1/2 screens on several of my hives. Solids on my others. Seems like the solids didnt beard as much so far. I think it was due to cutting off the humidity that was coming off the ground and making the hive cooler. Do you think this could be a logical reason for less bearding?
I have screen bottom broad because I live in the Caribbean it good to me
I love the screen bottom board 90/10 for me. Keeps Hive Beatle numbers way down.
Why don’t you just put the white peace back in for winter 🤓
I have both. First hives were screened. The resource hives i have are solid and horizontal is solid.
I think we all probably have a mixture
Going on 3 year. Been using 2 by floors in Lazutin hives. I worry about it getting too cold in the U.P. of MI so don't use screened boards. Even in the summer it gets down into 40's at night. Plus predators. I do put weep holes in the floors. Seems easier for bees to clean. If I had bees in warmer climate and less predators I would use a screened bottom board.
Worth having a screen bottom board.
i am new to bees what is the deal with powered sugar how should i use it for mite control
I've always used them.
To me, someone is just looking to get started in keeping. I think that the screen bottom gives the ability to let the air move when it is hot and to block the air when it is colder. The tray under it can give some help, but I don't know how much help.
Yes with a screened bottom board!
I love your content and videos. Knowledge is power and you make this easy and enjoyable.
Can you swap for a screened bottom in the spring/summer and do a solid bottom in the fall/winter? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?
Sure can, but as you saw in the video, it is very labor intense 😃
I agree if you have multiple but because something is tedious or difficult it shouldn’t be over looked if it’s better for your bees.
If it was easy everyone would do it 😝
I was told to hold on to the slide out pan and use that over winter.
I put a Reducer on today, with all the bugs and Varmints roaming, never used one before, any thoughts?
Personally, I think about how bees live in the wild. They have a single entrance to their hive that's the same tiny size all year long. So, I keep mine on the smallest size all year round.
In the wild, even when swarms capture a place in the wall of a building bees usually leave a space below the combs for ventilation. IMHO every bottom board should try to mimic nature. Several years ago I saw a German approach using a 4-5 inch spacer below the bottom hive body that allowed for "dead bee winter drop" to prevent dead bees piling up and preventing air flow and or blocking the bottom entrance of the hive. 15' - 20' up is not usually a problem from snow blockage for a wild hive but if the opening for the hive does not allow bees to fall out it has to have a cavity large enough for dead bees to fall into without blocking air flow. If mites accidentally fall off bees in the heart of winter won't they succumb to the harsh temps like bees do? If so a deep screened bottom board might be a mite deterrent that makes domestic bees seem to possess anti mite genetics just because mites don't come equipped with parkas?? On a side note what size mesh (6 or 8) is best to allow hive beetles to fall through in to diatomaceous earth or a vegetable oil?
Ha Good video I use screen all the time but I make my boards and they are not fancy I just cut ply wood for mine.. do u put your hives flat on the ground
I live in SC and run screen bottom boards on all my hives year-round (75+). I don't even own a solid bottom board. No issues at all, winter or summer.
100% worth it.
David I enjoy your videos but I want to tell you that I dril a 1.5 inch hole in the back of my brood box and put screen on both sides of the hole and when winter arives I place duck tape over the hole till warm comes . I live in S. E . Texas . Rob.
Glad you enjoy the videos
I slid coins under the inner cover during our record heat wave here. In ten minutes the bees were propilizing the gap and closing it down! I was surprised! I run a full screen bottom board.
I am thinking about installing an internal thermometer so I can help control the temperature all year round .....
Many have failed, but give it a try and let us know.
I'm a woodworker designing my equipment for next spring. My plan is to make a screened bottom board that is level and a slanted wooden board insert under it.
Cool
Can I keep cerana bees in mellifera box.?.
I just start beekeeping Thursday June 16 2022, that when I get my two box hive of bees,
I first open the box on Sunday the 19 of June 2022 ,
the bees were so aggressive so I has to close the box up and I haven't open it from that time, , could you explain why the bees are so aggressive.
Did you use smoke? It could be their genetics and you need to replace the queen. Was it a package of bees or a nuc? I would contact the provider and ask why they are so aggressive.
How about the slatted rack Mr Dave
You should do one on different types of Foundation (plastic or wax)/ not using Foundation.
Have you heard / seen the screen bottom board giving the wax moths a better chance in entering colonies
The grass looks good...just saying. I use screened bottom boards.
I use them.
It's a Must in my Area, with the Hot Summers.
Can u have a apis cerana hive please. And can I keep cerana bees in that size hive..? Please help me
Queens returning from mating flights have a tendency to go under the screen and not in the hive.
Show us how to make screen board!
Can you make a solid into a screen? I have 2 new hives that came with solid bottoms and living on the gulf coast sounds like I would need them screened
Screened boards do hamper the mite treatment,
What about using a screen that is plastic or something. Because metal ones corrode when using Oxalic acid.
Good information about screen bottom board 👍
Guide me how to control wax moth I lost 10 Box
The greater wax moth is always a result of a low populated colony that cannot defend the hive. I made a video over a decade ago on wax moths: th-cam.com/video/iHmKKEs9T6o/w-d-xo.html
@@beek hi where the honey bees goes infected by wax moth
Do trees have screen bottom boards?
I tried a screened bottom board with a new package, FAIL. 3 hives with new packages and solid bottom board, success. Also a question about mite treatments. If you have a screened bottom board and treat for mites, don't you lose the benefits of your treatment out the bottom. For the record I'm in Alabama and I use a solid bottom board with a small stick up top for ventilation.
Does anyone stack a screen and a solid for the mite collection?
Screens alone 24/7 aren't really a good idea for me in interior alaska as last night (7/8/21) it dropped to 36f 🤣.
Hi David. I’m a new subscriber and thumps up for you. Question: Is it best to put a hive under a shade tree or in the direct sun? Do ants find their way into a have easier with a screened bottom board? Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Great question for my livestream this Thursday at 7pm central time. Here's the link: th-cam.com/users/livegccWHkEDuOQ
@@beek I’ll tune in as long as my question is first out of the box 😀. What say you?
Someone in our local group posted about how to block off screened bottom boards from returning mated queens and clusters and comb being built on bottom screened bottom boards. Have you had that issue?
No but my mating nucs have solid bottom boards.
I had a beekeeper tell me that he did not use a screen bottom board ever because it let out the odor or aroma of the honey which attracted predators such as the wax moth. What's your thoughts on that?
Can you switch from screen to bottom board in the summer/winter?
Absolutely!
Thank you!
IF. bees are cold blooded insects.... how do they create body heat? How can the winter without freezing at below freezing temps?
As a single bee, cold blooded. But a colony, made up of thousands of single bees form a single organism of 40,000+ bees and as a colony they are able to regulate their temperature. Good question.
See what I think could happen.. with a screened bottom board.. if that hive wants the darkness a bit more wouldn't they just propolis it to there needs? They do it with everything else lol just my thought process
We just hived a swarm in a hive with a solid bottom board but the rest of them are a screen with the tray out.
WHAT ABOUT THE APIMAYE SCREEN BOTTOM BOARD??
What about a solid bottom board that has more of a angle instead of be flat?
How to treat organically bee hive frome mites in summer?
Very tough question. Use a screen bottom board, powdered sugar dustings, green drone comb and breaking the queens brood cycle.
🤣 Beekeeping begins to feel more like religion with each passing day. So do you belong to the screen bottom congregation or the church of the solid bottom? Both, I attend both. ( heresy )
Yep, I'm a Screen bottom guy.
I do not use them. I am not convinced they are bennificial beyond their expense or labor to create. Yet that is. Still learning. It seems the bees like to control their HVAC and a screened bottom board may nullify that control.
Do your bees get their feet /wings caught in the screen?
Would you be willing to cover handy customizations to your standard hives?
Screen bottom boards corrode after using Oxalic avid.
Here in Southern Illinois, I've used both.. haven't seen much difference. Can't help you. I'm confused myself. They don't read the manuals.
I use solid bottom boards, I make my own.