Screened Bottom Board Question

[earthchild]

Hello and Happy Fourth. I'm in the process of building a couple of screened bottom boards and the plans call for 1/8" x 1/8" hardware cloth, but the smallest anyone carries is 1/4". I need better ventilation in my hive as well as varroa management. Any thoughts on the 1/4"? Would that be sufficient? Thanks!

[Beeslave]

The 1/4" will allow bees to go through it increasing the risk of robbing. Commercial guys and pollinators-Never use that size for 4-way pallets. You end up squashing alot of bees when moving them with a lift and they get really mad.

[Ravenseye]

Use the number eight cloth. You can order it if you have to. In a pinch, you can double screen the 1/4" stuff and offset it a little. It's not perfect though. I'd wait until you can get the smaller size mesh.

[earthchild]

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll order some 1/8" Monday.

[schmism]

ive been looking for 1/8" local for a month now so i can build some SBB

[brooksbeefarm]

I get my 1/8 hardware cloth through the MFA feed store. If they don't have it they can order it for you. Jack

[Bee_Sweet]

You should be able to get that size at most ACE hardware stores, and also as mentioned feed supplie stores.

[Michael Bush]

Mine are all 1/8 (#8). Betterbee makes theirs #6. A bee can squeeze through #6 but it's tough. Betterbee's argument is that #6 allows them to keep the bottom cleaner as they can push the dead bees through and the debris falls through. I haven't tried the #6. #7 will allow pollen to fall through but bees can only get through if the wires are bent.

[beyondthesidewalks]

A local independent small town hardware store might have it. That's where I found it locally. There's not enough demand for the big box stores to carry it.

[schmism]

I live out in the country and hit just about every small hardware store and feed supply place in the area and have yet to find it.

seems like a waist to mail order it.

[KQ6AR]

My Orchard Supply Hardware, carries it. Their owned by Sears

[Sonny]

You might want to a local hardware store. Lowes does no carry 1/8 inch hardware cloth. Try a hareware store that has been in business for years. They sometime have the different things you are looking for.

[pom51]

I ordered mine from ace hardwae store they ordered it for me i ordered fifty fooot roll it was not very expensive and they were nice to deal with. and probally cheeper than Lowes or Home depot

[CovertBeekInColleyville]

Sonny is right on. I called many small hardware stores and finally somebody referred me to an ACE hardware that has been in business for years. Luckily they had it and were right down the road from me. None of the other ACE stores carried the 1/8th hardware cloth. I figured they all carried the same things.

[Bitteroot]

Don't do the double 1/4 inch thing.. I tried it and while it works well to allow ventilation.. you cannot get it close enough together to keep the bees from finding a way to crawl through..bad deal when moving a hive.. Dont ask! :doh:

Hold out and get the #8.. you will be the better for it! I ordered mine at ACE.

[jhs494]

I could not find it locally so I ordered it from Mcmaster Carr. They have a website and are very quick to get items shipped. JMTC.

[Sarge]

Around here Ace Hardware is the only source.

[gmcharlie]

Mcmaster Carr,, DUH fantastic service... wish I had thoughtof it.... Got back ordered from betterbee and dadant....

[G3farms]

I could not find it local but went on-line and got it from ACE. There was not any shipping but was shipped to the ACE store of your choice.

G3

[Jer733]

I get mine from a local ma and pa store.

Others here are correct, Lowes and home depot do not carry it.

I have been told that ACE is the place... :-)

FYI some folks call it harware cloth or harware screen.


Jer