Venilation Holes

[shelley]

I live in Washington State, near Tacoma and will have my first hive set up this Spring. I've read that you should make venilation holes about one inch holes in each super. They recommended near the handle in front. I'm wondering if this is necessary for the Northwest. Do others do this? Just curious.

Also, I'm using waxed/unwired for the honey supers and if I use the support pins on the sides, should I still use a couple horizontal wires for support?

Thanks for your help.

[jasontatro]

Hey Shelley,

Nice to see a fellow Puget Sound beek. I'm also new to the hobby and will have my first hives up this spring. Are you planning on joining the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association?

Jason

[Michael Bush]

>They recommended near the handle in front.

Who are they?

>Do others do this?

I have tried it. I decided I don't like holes in my equipment. A screened bottom board and a top entrance do well enough. You could use a notched inner cover, prop the lid or many other things to get ventilation that won't leave holes in your boxes.

[carbide]

I agree with Michael, I don't like holes in my equipment either. If you're concerned about ventilation used a screened bottom board with a top ventilation opening.

[Ruben]

The hole in the box is just one more place for a wax moth to sneak in.

[jdpro5010]

I also do not like holes in my boxes. If you are concerned with ventilation you may want to check out www.honeyrunapiaries.com. Tim has a very nice ventilated inner cover he has designed and has the appropriate drawings to make your own. I have not tried these yet and am just using regular notched inner cover without any problems but do plan on trying a few of these also. The addition of sbb is also recommended. When it comes to frames I highly recommend horizontal wiring as I feel this provides added stability to the foundation. It is a pain to learn but once you do it is very easy and not as time consuming as you may think. Just my 2 cents.:)

[Ken&Andria]

We live in Port Orchard, and are trying to get our first hive through the winter. I did not put in any ventilation before the winter, and the hive inner cover got really wet. Propped it up with a rock, and that seemd to fix things, at least the moisture problem. I am going to experiment with vent holes for next winter...

Also, the West Sound Beekkepers meet in Silverdale. With the new bridge, might be easier to get to from Tacoma for club meetings?

[Aisha]

It gets really hot here in Texas and after using a piece of cut screen taped to the top super (instead of an inner cover) most of last summer, I finally bought one those screened ventilated covers for my top super. It allows more ventilation than almost anything. I just love it. I am still using a telescoping lid on top of that to keep it dark. Lots of air gets in. Keeps small hive beetles, hornets and moths out.

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/products.asp?pcode=210

Easy to make, but I am lazy so I bought one.