sbb question

[blkcloud]

I have heard 2 ways of using a sbb..put the screen on top of a regular wooden bottom board and also just letting the screen be the bottom board..so the hive can have a better air flow..which is the best method? also..if possible would you mind posting a link to a good picture of a sbb? thanks,keith

[bleakley]

Here's the link to the screened bottom board plans on BeeSource: http://www.beesource.com/plans/ipmbottom.htm

These are the bottom boards we use.

[Michael Bush]

I like to be able to pull the tray and leave it wide open in the heat of the summer and the main flow so there is plenty of ventilation to evaporate the nectar. I leave the tray in from the first freeze in the fall until the bees start bearding in the summer.

[Dave W]

blkcloud . . .

If you already have a "regular wooden bottom board" you can modify it into a SBB.

A "Beltsville Screen Insert", a wood-bound screen inserted into hive entrance and placed on a standard (solid) bottom board, works only for monitoring mites (a GOOD thing), but a Screened Bottom Board has many benefits:
• Bees produce more brood w/ SBB
• Bees raise 25% more bees
• Increases ventilation
• More stored honey
• Can be used to control Varroa population

IMO, the "best" SBB also serves as a hive stand w/ legs. (sorry I cant post photos of mine)

[ February 24, 2006, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: Dave W ]

[Michael Bush]

Brushy Mt sells little plastic legs for their SBB.
http://www.beeequipment.com/products.asp?pcode=662

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>would you mind posting a link to a good picture of a sbb? thanks,keith

http://members.cox.net/bullseyebees/_sgt/m2m1_1.htm

Here is a couple of pictures of the ones I make. I am not showing the sliding trays in the pictures, but it is easy to see the unpainted notches where they go.

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

These are the ones I build and use.
http://www.robleons.com/bee_equip/stand_sbb/sbb1.jpg
http://www.robleons.com/bee_equip/stand_sbb/sbb2.jpg

[SilverFox]

Nice looking idea. Will the conduit clamps hold a hive that may weigh in excess of 300 lbs (2 deeps plus supers)??

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

If you notice on the legs I use a hose clamp that when turned with the bolt under and up against the wood frame acts a stopper to prevent slideing just in case.

[SilverFox]

Saw that. Just wondered, as there will be alot of vertical weight.
Good idea. Hope it works.
May be drill a small hole and put a horizontal pin through or a bolt?? If you have problems.

[ February 25, 2006, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: SilverFox ]

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

That would work but then I'm afraid I would loss the ability to adjust legs for diff land terrain to keep hive level.