Screened Hive Stands

[Elwood]

I just built my new hive stands with the 1/8" hardware cloth in the bottom and a slide out tray to check for mites. Has anyone noticed if this arrangement attracts ants into the hive?

[NeilV]

I don't think screened bottoms attract ants any more than solid bottoms. If there are ants and the bees don't intervene, they will get in the hive some way. If you have an ant problem, look for a search on methods to deal with it. Grape jelly mixed with boric acid has been recommended, if I remember right.

[odfrank]

I just built my new hive stands with the 1/8" hardware cloth in the bottom and a slide out tray to check for mites. Has anyone noticed if this arrangement attracts ants into the hive?

On my similar stands they walk up the side of the hive, not in the bottom screen. Can't say they cause any problem except on divides with queens in a cage with sugar.

[Elwood]

On my similar stands they walk up the side of the hive, not in the bottom screen. Can't say they cause any problem except on divides with queens in a cage with sugar.

What is the problem in that case?

[odfrank]

What is the problem in that case?

They kill the queen.

[NeilV]

After I did my post I realized I forgot a detail -- DON'T PUT THE BORIC ACID/GRAPE JELLY MIX IN THE HIVE. It goes on the ground near the hive.

[Elwood]

Thanks for the tips guys.

[Beaver Dam]

What if the don't like grape jelly.