SBB clean-up

[Hobie]

Does anyone clear the dead bees off the SBB in spring, or is it better to just leave it up to the bees?

[D Coates]

I've never done it. They seem to be able to handle it just fine. Others may disagree though.

[dcross]

I sweep mine out a few times during winter.

[Mike Gillmore]

I clear mine out a time or two if the dead bees accumulate too much. Over 6 - 8 weeks of confinement in cold weather a lot of bees can pile up and I like to give them a little assistance in house cleaning... I'm sure they have more important things they could be doing on a nice warm sunny day.

[Michael Bush]

Anytime I'm down to the bottom board I dump it off. Otherwise I don't worry about it. Usually this happens at least in the Spring and Fall.

[Dale Hodges]

Anytime I can help my bees with anything I pitch in. IMO, if the bees are doing anything besides making honey and raising bees they're not as productive as they could be.

[kbee]

I clean mine in the spring. As Mike said, here in the north they may not be able to clean house that often. Also, I occasionally have to toss a mouse out to. It makes me feel better to take them right down to the bottom board, scrape them and start new each year. With only ten hives I can afford to do extra work.