Build a SBB quick and easy.

[Kelbee]

I don't know if someone has done this before, but I've discovered a super easy way to make a Screened Bottom Board (SBB).

Someone gave me some old deeps that they had lying around. Since I don't use deeps, I used my table saw to cut them down to medium boxes. The scraps I ended up with were 2 3/4" tall preassembled "frames" the exact dimensions of a hive box. It occurred to me that I could simply staple on some #8 mesh to make a SBB, which I did.

Back at the tablesaw I cut another "frame", this one 3/4" thick and screwed it over the top of the mesh.

Again back at the tablesaw I cut 1/4" off the bottom of the end pieces to create a gap for sliding in a sticky board.

And just like that, I had a SBB. Took me about 15 minutes to make 3 SBBs. No, it doesn't have a landing board or other bells/whistles, but I use top entrances so don't need em.

I saved the rest of the "frame" scraps to use next time I need some SBBs.

Note: I thought this idea was pretty clever and posted it on the Beekeeping 101 forum last month, but got zero comments. I thought I'd try it here.

[Buzzboy]

That is a cool idea. I have several bottom boards that i've been trying to convert into SBB's simply, but I just might cut down some of my extra deeps...for I've been pondering switching to upper entrances anyhow.

[berkshire bee]

Kelbee, It sounds like a great idea and best of all it only cost a little screen and a little time and it always gives satisfaction. We beekeepers are always coming up with clever ways of doing things, ways to save money or re-use and recycle equipment. When I started I ground a hook style hive tool out of an old lawnmower blade and made my own smoker from cans from the landfill and stuff I had around the house. I have 11 hives now and still use that hive tool and smoker. When I wanted to build a bee vac I decided to use the boxes that my package bees came in since it was ready made to hold bees. Just needed a hinged door with a latch ( I used a window lock) a hole in the side and my inner boxes were ready to go.

[MGaddy]

My father has the tools, and helps me and the kids with some of the woodworking. I had him cutting down deeps, about a month ago, and making some SBB's from scratch. I had other things to do, and later when I came back I said, hey I forgot to tell you about this great idea I read on Beesource. Well, you guessed it, he said you mean like this, and he showed me with and without landing boards. All I can say is he was a beekeeper for about 5 years, 30 years ago.

Mark

[spunky]

Err, so doesnt forcing the bees to go across the SBBs increase its effectiveness ?? Or are we touting SBB's becuase of the better ventilation and that mites fall of the bees during normal hive activity and cant crawl back up ???

[BerkeyDavid]

I've built a dozen from scratch. But the easiest ones I made from some pallets. Just rip off the middle slats that match up with your hive body, then renail them so that they provide an edge on three sides (leaving the entrance side open). Staple the screen across the edge. Then add cleats on the sides to keep the hive centered over the screen.

You should be able to get at least two hives on each pallet.