8x8 galv wirecloth for SBB

[ainsof]

Does anyone have a few square feet of 24" or 36" #8 galv wirecloth for sale? Our local hardware stores only have 10' rolls. :(

[Michael Bush]

Brushy Mt and Betterbee both sell it by the foot.

[ainsof]

... make that 100' rolls.

Thanks MB, I'll take a look

[hrogers]

Howdy All --

I find that # 6 wire screen is the best size if you also have beetles. Openings are large enough for beetles to go or fall through as well as mites, but too small for the BEES to get through.

Doc

[ April 20, 2006, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: hrogers ]

[Big Stinger]

What are these gees you speak of.

[ainsof]

Bee Gees? ;)

[Michael Bush]

Actually they can get through #6, it's just small enough to be more trouble than the bees usually think it's worth.

[wayacoyote]

Doc,
Thanks. But what do you do to kill the beetles that fall through? Beetle larvae, as I understand it, HAVE to get out of the hive and find soil in order to make it to adulthood. Our state apiarist, in teaching us about them, pointed out that screen bottom boards will assist SHB's in their life cylce.

Waya

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

Bees may have a hard time with #6 but Yellow jackets don't.

[SilverFox]

Just an idea: put a shallow tray under your hives that have SBB's and put some water or vegetable oil in it, should cure the problem.
We don't have them, YET, that I'm aware of. :D

[hrogers]

Howdy Waya --
Silver is on the right track, but a light coating of oil will not kill the beetles like it
does the mites. A light coating of Coumophos
powder on the tray under the SBB will kill the beetle adults and larvae.
Doc