Bottom Board Removal

[dgoodman]

Good morning,

Yesterday I asked a question regarding the mold that was growing in the top of my box. Although I have cut a notch in the inner cover, I am experiencing a great deal of condensation (I am using a top feeder, and am in week 4 of the new hive/colony.

I thought that perhaps increasing the circulation would help. I have been using a bottom board. I thought that removing this might improve the airflow, thus eliminating some condesation. Thoughts? When is the right time to use this board?

Oh, one follow up question. When I attending my introductory class, the teacher mentioned making patties of shortening to help with the mite problem. At what stage does one want to add these?

Thanks so much.

David

[Michael Bush]

>Yesterday I asked a question regarding the mold that was growing in the top of my box. Although I have cut a notch in the inner cover, I am experiencing a great deal of condensation (I am using a top feeder, and am in week 4 of the new hive/colony.

There's a good flow, why not loose the feeder?

>I thought that perhaps increasing the circulation would help.

Probably. If the bees are really strong it will help.

>I have been using a bottom board.

Most people do.

>I thought that removing this might improve the airflow, thus eliminating some condesation.

Bottomless? I wouldn't. I'd put a SBB on. But making some kind of upper vent will probably help more.

>Thoughts? When is the right time to use this board?

What board? You were talking about removing it? Are we talking about a tray in a SBB?

>Oh, one follow up question. When I attending my introductory class, the teacher mentioned making patties of shortening to help with the mite problem. At what stage does one want to add these?

I used them one year (out of the last 31). They are for tracheal mites, (not varroa) and can be used most anytime. They confuse the tracheal mites who are looking for young bees to reproduce in and they can't tell which are the young ones.

[Dave W]

Greetings dgoodman,

>(I am using a top feeder, and am in week 4 of the new hive/colony.

Are you sure your feeder is NOT leaking?

I'm not sure a 4-week old colony would be processing enough nectar to create condensation.

[Fat Nancy]

dgoodman,

I'm a first year beekeeper and think that ventilation is a very important part of maintaining a strong hive. There is an article concerning bottomless beekeeping under the "points of view" section on the home page. I found it very interesting and will probably attempt this in the future. In the mean time though the screened bottom board is highly recommended. I also drill 3/4 inch ventilation holes in my hive bodies and supers. The gentleman who wrote the articles on bottomless beekeeping was located in california so it might be good for you. Some here on this board think that his location was more suitable for this type of management than say the northeast. I ask, "how much more protection from winter winds and cold does a screened bottom board provide"? IMHO a hive placed with these things in mind (winter wind, and exposure) would do fine. Mouse damage? My hives are place on cinder blocks about a foot and a half above the ground. Oh and a couple of cat's won't hurt :). Still I think SBB are a really good way to go (I think the bees like the landing pad), both for Varroa control and added ventilation.

Fat Nancy

[dgoodman]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

For clarification purposes. I was using a board on top of the bottom screen. I was told that this will accomplish two things with a new colony: 1) the bees drop pieces of wax, and instead of dropping throught the screen, they will pick it up and use it. 2) Keeps the bees warmer while they build up their own heating strength (numbers).

This morning, I removed that inner board, and now have a screen with a bottom board underneath.

I don't think my feed is leaking, rather it is producing a tremendous amount of condensation on the inner board and top. Interestingly, there is no mold on the innter board, just the top.

Michael, I am keeping the feeder there because I have yet to add a second super (this weekend probably). As a newbie (or new-bee, as the case may be), I'm not at all sure of nectar flow. Lack of confidence and understanding keeps the feeder in place.

Fat Nancy...thanks for the recommendation on the articles. I'll check them out right away.

Cheers,

David

[Michael Bush]

>For clarification purposes. I was using a board on top of the bottom screen. I was told that this will accomplish two things with a new colony: 1) the bees drop pieces of wax, and instead of dropping throught the screen, they will pick it up and use it.

I've never seen that.

>2) Keeps the bees warmer while they build up their own heating strength (numbers).

That's why I leave mine on UNDER the screen.

>I don't think my feed is leaking, rather it is producing a tremendous amount of condensation on the inner board and top. Interestingly, there is no mold on the innter board, just the top.

And that moisture is probably mostly from the top feeder.

>Michael, I am keeping the feeder there because I have yet to add a second super (this weekend probably). As a newbie (or new-bee, as the case may be), I'm not at all sure of nectar flow.

This time of year, I think everyone in the US has a flow. Maybe somewhere in some desert there isn't.

>Lack of confidence and understanding keeps the feeder in place.

I just think feeders are often the cause of many of our problems.