[Loriann1]

Ok, found the answer... just not sure how to delete my dumb post ��

 

[Hops Brewster]

My 7th grade algebra teacher said "There is no such thing as a dumb question, except for the one you're about to ask, Mr. Brewster!"
I've been a math-phobe ever since.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Welcome to the forum!

 

[JConnolly]

A beekeeper a couple of blocks from me leaves his screens open all year round, and its a lot colder here. His bees do just fine. I've mostly phased out screened bottoms, but I leave the inserts in the ones I do have year round, and the bees do just fine.

 

[Loriann1]

Thanks guys

I just went up to check on them, and spent an hour there observing. I did slide the insert in under the screen bottom. They aren’t moving around a lot outside of the hive. But between 9 and 10 am, here in Seattle its 55 degrees and overcast, some darker clouds look like they could open up and rain.

I’ve not checked on them this early before, so this could be their usual morning behavior. But I’ve read so much, and gotten so worried and felt awful if they had gotten too chilled. Especially with so many of the babies still developing.

I’m picking up a nuc tonight, and they will be installed right away. I wont be checking on the “cold” hive for another week, so, just fingers crossed for now.

 

[LAlldredge]

I use a screened bottom board over a solid bottom board all year. Under the screen is a slot for my inspection board. So I'm not using it as ventilation per se but more as a tool to look at hive trash/varroa drop. Just thought I'd mention it just in case you're considering removing it all together.

 

[Loriann1]

I use a screened bottom board over a solid bottom board all year. Under the screen is a slot for my inspection board. So I'm not using it as ventilation per se but more as a tool to look at hive trash/varroa drop. Just thought I'd mention it just in case you're considering removing it all together.

That's what I'd originally used that white slider board for; to check for mites after the OA dribble treatment. Never occurred to me it would chill them if I took it out permanently .. hopefully, the eggs and larvae survive and can warm up today.

I will have to modify the boards underneath to do what you are doing - but it makes sense. I've already had to modify the metal entrance reducers, which are made for a 10 frame.. and of course, I have 8 frame! haha..

I'm learning..

 

[AR Beekeeper]

I overwintered 24 colonies on open mesh bottom boards with no stickey boards in and had one loss, and that was due to varroa immigration in November. My winter temps drop into the low 20s with highs in the high 40s or mid 50s, and the bees are as active on screen bottoms as they are on solid bottoms.

Both types of bottom boards work, what we see on the forums is influenced more by personal preference than by solid studies. Studies done on both types of bottom boards show that the bees survive just as well on one style as the do on the other, and they make as much honey on one style as they do the other.

Don't worry about your colony chilling, they will do fine.

 

[JWPalmer]

What AR Beekeeper said. I run screen bottoms also. They make a huge difference in the amount of bearding I see on hot and humid days, but other than that, it is personal preference.

 

[Loriann1]

AR Beekeeper and JWPalmer,

I really appreciate hearing your replies �� It’s been a lot of learning and reading for months before I ever got them. It’s nice to know I didn’t mess up too badly.. !