IPM/screen bottom board

[gojo]

I have just built an IPM/screen bottom board and i was unable to get 1/8" x 1/8" galvanized cloth so i stapled two sheets of skewed 1/4" x 1/4" galvanized cloth. the sheets are a little loose though, and the back is mainly open compared to some that i have seen in which the back is closed. i am just worried that this may lead to an extra entrance in which robbing can be possible.

[Troy]

the 8 mesh is sometimes hard to find. I have found it at ACE Hardware.

Also, Brushy Mtn, and I think Mann Lake sell it.

Two layers of 1/4" mesh is OK, not ideal, but OK. Some here have advocated running hive with no bottom at all, and the bees still seem to defend it just fine.

I think the real shortcoming in this approach is not so much from robbing or even the bees at all. It is the fact that you have twice as many wires and they are thicker wires too. The mites may not drop through to the ground as readily as with the 8 mesh. So in effect it just may not be working as good as you think as an IPM strategy.

[PCM]

Actually, if You are talking mite & hive beetles #7 wire is what you need !

If you think #8 is hard to find ??

BetterBee is the only place I have found #7, and HIGH priced it is !
#7 size also needed for pollen drop in pollen traps, as #8 can jam up.

Take every thing you read on inter-net forums, with a grain or two of salt !

PCM

[Ravenseye]

gojo, I did that once in a pinch (skewed two pieces of 1/4" mesh to create a makeshift 1/8" mesh). I also had some bowing so I cut an old coat hanger and "wove" it between the two pieces. I only had to use one piece of coat hanger and when I wove it through, it pulled the two separate pieces of mesh together. I was happy with the result and later, I re-screened with #8 wire.

[BaconStreetBees]

I was able to buy it at Ace Hardware today. They sell it by the foot.