Subject: Re: Open Mesh Floors/Large Entrances Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 22:33:06 EST From: bab5doll@aol.com To: BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com Hi Dee I would say the mesh on the OMF can be large enough for the bees to go through but not large enough for mice to enter the hive. You can also cover the entrance with the same screen. You are not interested in reducing the entrance to reduce air flow. The bees can use the entrance or the bottom. You may have to worry about a weak hive being robed. For this you can then use the sliding board to reduce the bottom. This will give them only the entrance to protect. You may have to watch how long you keep the board reducer in place. The bees will orientate brood and stores to what size you have for an entrance because of air flow and light. If you have the bottom open all summer and close it in the fall, the bees may have to move the stores around. I would thing you can place the hive on an open OMF in the spring and keep it open all year around. They have been doing this in other countries for 20 to 30 years. Under very rough conditions. Something to discuss. The bees do not have to work to keep the hive cool in the summer. In the winter they do not keep the inside of the hive warm. I think they ball up and keep themselves warm. This next spring, I am going to do some research on the effect of CO2 on bees and mites. I have heard stories of bees fanning fresh air into the hive on one side of the entrance and other bees fanning bad air out of the hive on the other side of the entrance. CO2 Is 1* time heavier than air. Are they getting rid to CO2? Something to think about. Can any one help me? forrest zielke ashland MA