Screened bottom board and/or slatted rack?

[coffeemonkey52]

I got started this year with the starter equipment kit from Mann Lake. I am still using the bottom board that came with the kit but I'm interested in replacing it with a screened bottom board. I have also read (in books and here in this forum) that a slatted rack would be a good addition, too, to help improve ventilation.

My questions are:
1)If I use a screened bottom board do I still need a slatted rack?
2)When can I replace my current board? Can I do it anytime or do I wait until I reverse the deep hive bodies?

[GA-BEE]

I would get the SBB on right away. It help with the control of mites and the like.
I have no experience with the slatted racks since I don't use them.

[Michael Bush]

I have a lot of slatted racks. I think they help some with swarming, but swarming is a big picture kind of thing and it's only one small aspect. You can certainly manage a hive without them.

I love the SBB. They give you a lot of control over ventilation and a way to monitor the Varroa mites.

[DRJCKB]

Finally I know what SBB stands for http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif I felt stupid asking--- I use them on my hives http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif

D

[Michael Bush]

Here are a few more:

DCA = Drone Congregation Area
SBB = Screened Bottom Board
SHB = Small Hive Beetle
V-Mites = Varroa Mites
T-Mites = Tracheal Mites
TM = Terramycin or Tracheal Mites depending on the context
EFB = European Foulbrood
AFB = American Foulbrood
SMR = Supressed Mite Reproduction (usually referring to a queen)
AHB = Africanized Honey Bees
EHB = European Honey Bees

[2hives]

I have the SBB's and yesterday afternoon I found my first V-mite on the solid BB I have below the SBB. At least once a week I rake the debris that falls through the SBB out onto a stiff white paper, then inspect the debris.(mostly wax particles) After seeing one mite, I put in a sticky board and will inspect again after 24 hrs. Without the SBB's the only way I'd know I had any mites was either a sugar-roll test, or seeing the mites on the bees, which is more difficult.

[bjerm2]

I found mites in my pollen traps! That was an eye opener. I have screen bottom boards and when I found mites I started FGMO aplications. That was about a month ago, and have not found any since.
Dan

[2hives]

bjerm2, what method do you use for the FGMO application? I have Checkmite, but would like to avoid using it if I have a better alternative. Thanks.

[bjerm2]

I use a black flagg fogger. This fall after the honey flow I will add thymol to the mix. Suppose to knock out the mites for winter. see http//www.beesourse.com/pov/rodriguez/abimar2004.htm
There is a lot of info in our FMGO forum, or use the search engine using FGMO-Thymol
Dan