I made a mistake using plastic mesh for my SBB

[mhorowit]

Now I'd like to change to hardware cloth.
Any suggestions on how to without startling the bees?
My guess is the stapler is out, even in mid winter. Mike

[jrbbees]

if you have standard hive make a spare bottom board.
Swap and work each one, one-at-a-time.

If you have TBH, suit up!

[jbeshearse]

If to can get to the bottom from underneath. Cut a piece of plywood that will fit Under the bottom. Then cut out the area you want hardware cloth on. Staple the hardware cloth to the plywood. Then screw that assembly right up against the plastic.

[mhorowit]

if you have standard hive make a spare bottom board.
Swap and work each one, one-at-a-time.

If you have TBH, suit up!

TBH.
You are a ray of sunshine

[mhorowit]

If to can get to the bottom from underneath. Cut a piece of plywood that will fit Under the bottom. Then cut out the area you want hardware cloth on. Staple the hardware cloth to the plywood. Then screw that assembly right up against the plastic.

Yeah,that's the route i'll take. Looking for really thin flat head woodscrews

[seamuswildflower]

get wafer head screws at a drywall supply house very thin