[likestomow]

Hello - I'm new here and am finishing my second year of beekeeping. So here's my question to the more experienced beekeepers:

Can hive beetles walk across a 1/4" open span or gap on the bottom board?

 

[Jim Braun]

I use a 1/8" screened bottom board with an oil pan under it. I never have them in my hives. I don't know if this answers your question or not

 

[G3farms]

May not be able to walk across it but they can certainly fly across.

 

[mtnmyke]

If it's a wide open gap and the bees cannot defend it, they certainly can get in. If it's mesh they could likely land nearby and walk through it.

1/4" is plenty of space for a beetle to get through. Just keep in mind that hive beetles cannot hover. So if you don't have a spot for them to land and walk in, they have a hard time finding an access point.

Hope that helps and welcome to the forum.