TBH ventilation

[drobbins]

Hello All,

I'm thinking of building a TBH and I'm wondering how you provide adequete ventilation. I'm in NC and in the summer it's HOT and HUMID.
With a langstroth a screened bottom board and proping the cover open does the trick. I was thinking of incorporating some form of SBB into the hive but I'm not clear on how to provide top ventilation. If the top bars seal off the top how can air escape? I guess I could put holes in the upper edge of the sides, but you kinda need some way to close em off in the winter.

Ideas??

Dave

[Scot Mc Pherson]

Dave,
Well I keep bees in Sarasota and Bradenton Florida, and I can tell you it neither gets hotter nor more humid in NC than here. My TBHs do just fine in the summer heat of july and august which are the hottest months around here. Has already hit 107 F with heat index on few days.

I have been thinking of ventilation though, and the best thing I can think of is to drill holes in the back end, maybe one to three one inch holes. I am not sure though yet, just something I am thinking about. In the winter, the ventilation is actually beneficial, not harmful. Ventilation helps disperse winter moisture which is on the list of #1 things that kill bees in winter. Your bees will keep plenty warm in the winter with the ventilation and you do not need to close it off for winter.

[BerkeyDavid]

Hi Dave

If you go with a SBB the entire length I don't think top ventilation will be that much of an issue. One thing I have done is to shim up the cover to add air space above the top bars. It seemed to reduce the bearding.

I think it is also important to make them wide enough. at least 19 inch top bar.

[KSbee]

Just leave a couple of bars out at the end opposite the entrance. They'll fan at the entrance and draw air thru the entire hive. If you're concerned about loosing the capacity make the hive a couple of bars longer to account for the empty space. This would also be a good place to put an internal feeder in the spring and/or fall when the extra ventilation may not be needed.

[Michael Bush]

I haven't put any ventilation on the KTBH. My TTBH's have a SBB.

[drobbins]

Michael,

do you close off the bottom of your TTBH in winter?
I know it get's kinda "nippy" in your neck of the woods.

Dave

[Michael Bush]

Yes, I do close it off in the winter. I have a large piece of corragated plastic cut to fit.