Hive entrance of my combination SBB/Slatted-rack

[Acebird]

Thanks for the clarification.

It also cuts down on drafts.

Well that is the opposite of increased ventilation so I guess it is not so obvious.

[delber]

Ok My question. . . If you're using upper entrances instead of lower entrances does it still "accomidate bee behavior"? I've been planning on doing this also and have thought of several different ways. I want to use upper entrances due to skunk / mouse etc predation. Is the bee behavior simply to hang out inside the entrance so if anyone is using upper entrances then the top should be a slatted rack?

[David LaFerney]

I'm sure not an expert, but I would say that no matter what the slatted rack should go on the bottom if you use one. It's not a matter of the bees hanging out inside the entrance it's the bottom of the comb.

I think I remember Michael Bush saying that he used slatted racks with hardware cloth stapled to the bottom along with top entrances.

[BeeCurious]

It's getting busy at the contemporary ...

http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/j...deo4_11_11.mp4

[Joseph Clemens]

Acebird,
The slatted racks can do both, reduce drafts and increase ventilation. Remember each bee is like a miniature power fan. They are respirating water vapor (increases humidity), metabolizing (creating body heat), blocking drafts with their bodies, and fanning their wings to move air around and through the hive as suits their needs. The slatted rack simply gives them a platform/perch where they can more efficiently perform these duties, and also provides space for bees to congregate in the relative safety of the hive, away from the combs of the brood nest or honey storage combs where their body heat or respiration might interfere with honey curing or brood rearing.