Bottom boards for polystyrene hives

[NDnewbeek]

What types of bottom boards do members use for polystyrene (BeeMax) hive bodies? Do you use the BeeMax bottoms, standard wood, wood IPM, or do you have to custom build? I build my own wood IPM boards and am thinking about trying BeeMax hive bodies. I would like to know which type the members think work best. Thanks in advance for replies.

Mike

[cleareyes]

For the bottom boards : http://www.reineschapleau.wd1.net/apinovar.en.html
Here are two pics:
picture 1 : first snow storm November 07
picture 2 : summer 08

http://picasaweb.google.com/Mielgaudreau

[Jesse]

I use the beemax SBB - They work well, no major compliants - and I would recommend them. You could make some of your own, just keep in mind that the beemax hive bodies are thicker than woodenware. You might want to buy one beemax bottom and take any benefits from it when you build your own. Any that you make could last longer and take a little more abuse, however, I have had them for 4 years and they almost look new.

The one thing I would change is the screen space - you could easily increase the area that is screened. They probably have to have the space a little smaller with the polystyrene - do to lack of strength of the material.

There was a thread a couple of years ago that I was part of that showed pictures of a remodeled beemax bottom that included putting wood strips inside of the outer edges and increasing the area of the screen.

Hope this helps, good luck

[Grant]

I have six bee-max hives and like them, but not necessarily sold on them to convert the whole operation to them.

I used their bottom boards as-is, but would like to build/re-build a bottom board with a larger screen.

Other than the smaller screen on the bottom, I like these hives. They are more expensive than the wood hives I can build from scrap.

Grant
Jackson, MO