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For some time now I have been kicking around an idea for new bottom board design. Here is a picture of side view without the side panel from Sketchup:
Here are the PLANNED advantages...
- Double screened bottom board prevents bees from bearding on the bottom of the hive (several did this last year)
- Front entrance slot is only 3/8" high (helps block mice and makes guarding easier)
- Front "porch" area behind the front board can then enter the hive "up" through a 2" x 10" collar (because supposedly SHB can't hover upward)
- Metal collar protruding 1/8" below the board (to prevent beetles from just crawling around upside down to get in)
- Each hive will also get 1-1/2" slatted racks above (to prevent building excessive burr comb on the bottom of the lower brood super frames)
- Slot in the back for inspection board with front face (so water running down the back of the hive can't swell the board and make it impossible to remove when it swells up)
- 1/4" hole below the top screened board (to make room for OAV snout, in a place that can't get blocked with burr comb)
- Front face of the Porch removable with only 1 of 2 screws (so porch and top screen can be cleared with a coat hanger wire)
- Detachable landing board (for convenience of the bees, and to make winter wrapping easier)
Any comments, suggestions, questions? Thanks!

Here are the PLANNED advantages...
- Double screened bottom board prevents bees from bearding on the bottom of the hive (several did this last year)
- Front entrance slot is only 3/8" high (helps block mice and makes guarding easier)
- Front "porch" area behind the front board can then enter the hive "up" through a 2" x 10" collar (because supposedly SHB can't hover upward)
- Metal collar protruding 1/8" below the board (to prevent beetles from just crawling around upside down to get in)
- Each hive will also get 1-1/2" slatted racks above (to prevent building excessive burr comb on the bottom of the lower brood super frames)
- Slot in the back for inspection board with front face (so water running down the back of the hive can't swell the board and make it impossible to remove when it swells up)
- 1/4" hole below the top screened board (to make room for OAV snout, in a place that can't get blocked with burr comb)
- Front face of the Porch removable with only 1 of 2 screws (so porch and top screen can be cleared with a coat hanger wire)
- Detachable landing board (for convenience of the bees, and to make winter wrapping easier)
Any comments, suggestions, questions? Thanks!