screened bottom boards

[Kaarin Lee]

Hello,
Just bought the equipment for my second hive. I bought a bottom board that is all screen so that the mites can drop off. Here's my question...do I need a piece of plywood or something under that board, or can I just leave it exposed?
Will the bees like the extra ventilation?

[phil c]

Another question, can the mites crrawl back up? Are they just left to exist on the ground or can something be put down to catch them for disposal?
Not trying to hijack the thread just some related questions I had.

[kbee]

You can leave the bottom open. The bees will be fine with the open bottom. In fact some beeks leave the screen uncovered through the winter as well. I put an insert in mine over the winter months. The mites will drop through the screen onto the ground or whatever you have underneath the hive. They will not be able to jump back up into the hive.

[stangardener]

you can leave it open in sonoma. i put boards under my sbb's because it keeps any updrafts off the bees but there is still lots of ventilation which keeps the bottom boards dry.
there is a very active beekeepers group in sonoma county and for very local advice you can check out the yahoo group sonoma bees.