top entrances

[jim b]

I don't have them but would like to try.

Is there a trick to changing from regular ole bottom ones to a top one? Can some screen be used to close off the bottom while they adjust to the top, or do you just board it up? What would make a good top entrance for a telescoping cover? I'm not averse to boring holes, but what if i end up with that box somewhere elce down lower later on? I know- just plug it!
-j?

[Sundance]

How many colonies do you have
Jim? If it is a couple the the
Tarheit inner cover is the ticket.

http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/season-inner-cover-p-50.html

You won't need the insulation,
but the ventilation factor is
a good system.

When you start using a top entrance,
you gradually reduce the bottom
entrance over the course of
several days. You can use grass,
or wood to choke down the bottom
entrance.

[Michael Bush]

Like Sundance said, I'd reduce the bottom entrance so they can find the top when the traffic gets bad and then after a day or two close the bottom one off. Top entrances can be done a variety of ways. A couple of shingle shims under an inner cover or a migratory cover will work as well as about anything.

http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#topentrance

[leamon]

Sundance, do you let the bees use the inner cover slot and all the holes for an entrance?
leamon

[Ross]

Once you prop the top open, ventilation is a non-issue. A flat top works fine. My next round of tops are going to be 1/2" MDO plywood. I can get 14 from a 4x10 sheet for about $65. MDO is sign board and is very weather resistent.

[jim b]

Sundance -

I peeked at your response this morning before work. I went and banged out something similar and put it up on one of my hives right away. Weather Channel says it's gonna be hot this weekend and that top looked so good, i couldn't resist. I'll work on closing the bottom later on little by little. Thanks for that tip and the link. I think i'll make some more 'cause i've only got about five or six other hives and i think they(the Tarheit inner covers) are really cool!

Some of my other hives have their tops propped slightly open for ventilation, but i'm concerned about robbing so i dont think they are open enough to become entrances. However, i could be in for a surprise 'cause i haven't seen them for awhile and those bees seem to do some interesting stuff when i'm not around. smile.gif

Thanks for all the replies, i feel like i'm onto something good here. Dont know what took me so long, i would probably do well to pay better attention and listen up more! :rolleyes:
-j

[ June 23, 2006, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: jim b ]

[mac]

So the question I have is. Do you need SBB to use a top entrance EFECTIVLY ???? If you close off the bottom entrance without a SBB it seems to me you will still be in the same situation with no circulation. Also without a SBB I would think it quite difficult to clean the debris from a standard BB. I would think dead bees and whatnot accumulating on a standard BB would be of some concern for a healthy hive. NO????? :confused:

[Sundance]

On my newer pallets they have
screened bottoms. On the others
(which will eventually get changed)
as I choke down the bottom
entrance I leave a 3" or 4"
section open, then screen it
off with 1/4" mesh. This still
allows drones out and discourages
the others from using it.

[LEAD PIPE]

I just started to switch over and the one complaint I have is that when working the hive the bees returning come right into you as apposed to staying low out of the way. They also seemed a bit confused now that their entrance is gone and they stay airborne. I guess it just takes some getting used to.

[Sundance]

Work the opposite side of the
entrance. They don't hit me
if I do that. If you have the
entrance on only one side that
is...

[Michael Bush]

>So the question I have is. Do you need SBB to use a top entrance EFECTIVLY

No. I prefer them. But if you're going to use a solid bottom board, I would screen the old entrance with #8 hardware cloth. You need some air coming in the bottom.