entrance reducer

[Marcus Griffin]

I know about reducing the size of the opening to the hive using an entrance reducer, but I haven't read anywhere just what size opening is especially good for what or when. Or, for that matter, orientation--opening facing up or facing down. Is there anyone on the board with the patience to explain the entrance reducer?

[Ian]

Dosent really matter at all. The main issue is reducing the enterence to help the hive defend against robbing. I think also to stop unwanted drafts. Not a real science behind it. Some will tell you exactly what is required, not me. I use scrap wood, and simply block the enterence down somewhat. Sometimes I even plug with grass!!

[Joel]

It should also be small enough and of a material (wood or metal) to keep out mice!!!

[Aspera]

I install mine "opening side up". No good reason for this other than someone told me that it less likely to get block with dead bees. I use the square wooden ones, but most poeple feel that a meatal grate keeps the mice out better.

[Michael Bush]

If they are getting robbed it's too big. If there is a traffic jam of locals (not so much hovering and fighting) then it's too small. In the winter, the main thing is to keep the robbers and the mice out. Depending on your climate you might want to go smaller or larger, but odds are the draft from the door won't be the main problem. The mice will. I'd reduce it down to two or three inches wide and I'd cover it with 1/4" hardward cloth.

[guatebee]

Entrance reducers will certainly prove helpful to stop robbing frenzy, but they also reduce fresh air intake. That´s where SBBs complement the hive temperature and moisture regulation.

[notaclue]

I have mine screened and reduced. I also still have the robber screen on. Does anyone know if the screen deters mice at all? Or does it just slow them down for about thirty seconds?

[chemistbert]

So can a mouse get in a hive with a 3/8" by the width of the hive entrance? I made some reversible bottom boards and the one side is 3/4 and the other is 3/8. I have mice problems in my neck of the woods.

[Michael Bush]

>So can a mouse get in a hive with a 3/8" by the width of the hive entrance?

Yes. But they are less likely. 1/4" is what it takes to stop a mouse.

> I made some reversible bottom boards and the one side is 3/4 and the other is 3/8. I have mice problems in my neck of the woods.

Put some 1/4" hardware cloth over the entrance for the winter.

A popular thing here, is to take a four inch wide piece of 3/8" plywood and three 3/8" laths and make a 4" wide entrance reducer that acts like the front portion of a slatted rack, decreasing the draft. The longer (4") path at 3/8" high seems to keep out the mice. But, in my experience just a 3/8" entrance won't stop them.

[Joel]

Another thing to mention it is almost too late at this point to put the mouse guard in unless you check to make sure no mice are nesting as they have pretty much already chosen thier winter nest sites.

[Michael Bush]

Yes, before I'd put one on now, I'd at least use a coat hanger and try to fish out any mouse nests that are already in the hive.