Opinions on screened inner covers

[blackdog]

I would like to get some opinions and info on the use of screened inner covers. I use open screened bottom boards this time of years, and i'm wondering if using screend inner covers as well would be helpfull or not. We are in the midle of out main nectar flow (thistel). The day temps are 70-80 and the night temps are 55-60. Will using a screened inner cover in conjunction with a srcreened bottom board be too much ventelation? or would it be helpfull ?

[Jaseemtp]

I can say in Texas with it being 100+ during the day and 80s at night, that the screened inner covers stop them from bearding on the outside at night. I am not sure if it has any impact on honey production though as this is my first year keeping bees.
Jason

[Ron Mann]

I use both screened bottom boards and screen intercovers with a ventilated attic under a telescoping cover all year long, here in Upper East Tennessee, but our winters are not as harsh as y'alls.

[Batman]

I just bought one as a model to build more. I would only think that a screen up top to let excess heat in the summer out would be a good thing. I should be able to get those built a lot quicker than screened bottom boards.

C2

[mrqb]

i installed a homeade screened inner cover with vents between it and outer cover last week and the bees are now staying in the top super all day my temps have been in the mid to upper ninety's though
and my evening are not as cool as yours and i will remove this come fall.....my answer wld be go for it

[Apple Farmer]

The screened inner covers are okay in the summer the rest of the year I would/do use a solid inner cover. With the winter we had last year you really needed to worry more about keeping them warm and dry.
I use screened bottom boards all year. In the winter I block them so the bees don't catch a draft.

[ErnieB]

I use a screened frame which has posts on the corners to lift the telescoping cover about an inch. These go on top of the inner cover. My take is that the screens are very useful when the bees are in the processing of evaporating the excess moisture from nectar to make honey. When that is finished for the year, the screens come out.

[ArkansasBK]

Top ventilation in the winter is important to let moisture escape. Prevents molding and wet bees. Wet bees in winter equals dead bees.

[judyv47954]

We've been in the high 90's also. I keep mine on SBB year-round, but have them on 2x12 bases, so essentially a dead air space underneath. I've been using double-screened bottom boards for the top. I can always use these for combines, but right now the sides keep the telescoping cover up for greater air flow.

The tops will come out once the temps get cooler. It seems to help a LOT. Also, when I'm moving hives, if they are on a SBB, I can use a kitchen towel to block the entrance and not worry about suffocation.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopbarh...tm#ventilation

Question: How can you have too much ventilation? Isn't ventilation a good thing?

Answer: Of course in the winter, too much ventilation means too much heat loss. But even in the summer the bees are cooling the hive by evaporation, so on a hot day the inside of the hive may be cooler than the outside air. So too much ventilation could result in the bees being unable to maintain a cooler temperature inside. When wax heats up past the normal operating temperatures of a hive (> 93 F) it gets very weak and combs can collapse.

It's like having your air conditioner on and someone leaves the door open...

I would gradually increase ventilation until they stop bearding on a moderately hot day. On a really hot day they my never stop bearding.

[Solomon Parker]

I have a hive that beards all the time. Day and night, no matter the ventilation.

[blackdog]

i think Michael Bush hit on the crux of my question, here is a bit of a refinement of it. So assuming that 92-89 degrees F in the hive is roughly optimal for comb drawing and nectar evaporation ( making honey), and that the max day time temps here in northern MI would be 90 degrees, would using a screened inner cover in conjunction with a screened bottom board cause the hive to loose too much heat and slow down comb drawing and honey production ? ( i'm only talking about the summer time nector flow period here) I really appreciate every ones imput on this issue !

[psisk]

This is a question and I am not being sarcastic. If bees want/need ventilation why do they propolize all the cracks on the lid of the hive? I have screen bottom boards but my hives are in full sun from daylight til dark. Of five hives, one beards heavy, one beards moderate and three dont beard. The ones that beard the worst seal every crack and crevis between inspections every time. If I used vents on top they would have to be window screen to keep out wax moths and SHBs. But as long as they produce like they are I dont think I will go there due to more cost and labor.

[danno]

I have all season vented covers on all 40+ centrol Michigan colonies. Here is a link to the plans if you dont know what these covers are
http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/stor...ver-p-232.html
Bee's seldom use this space unless they are getting abit crowded. It provides a upper enterence without useing a shim or drilling holes. In our winters it hold a book in straw that insulates and takes away moisture. I also use them to store mouse guards and robber screens. They work under tele. covers or migratory covers.

[sqkcrk]

Don't see a need for them and don't use them. Never saw one in a bee tree.

[Kazzandra]

The ones that beard the worst seal every crack and crevis between inspections every time. If I used vents on top they would have to be window screen to keep out wax moths and SHBs. But as long as they produce like they are I dont think I will go there due to more cost and labor.

This sounds like a perfect opportunity to try one on one hive, to me, and see if they do propolis it up. Worse comes to worse, you can freeze it and harvest the propolis and sell it or make it into products.

I *wish* my bees would propolis their screened inner covers up so I could use it as a duel purpose propolis trap and inner cover. They've never touched it.

[danno]

Don't see a need for them and don't use them. Never saw one in a bee tree.

is there any part of a Langstroth, top bar or any other managed colony hive that you have seen in bee trees?

[sqkcrk]

No. Weak arguement point on my part.

[Michael Bush]

>If bees want/need ventilation why do they propolize all the cracks on the lid of the hive?

Because they need to CONTROL ventilation.

[tefer2]

We also use the Honeyrun vented inner covers year round here in sw Michigan. My hives with the vented covers make more honey than the ones without. They also make a great place to store extra junk.