I've been pouring over the bottom board instructions at http://www.beesource.com/files/ipmbottom.pdf, and would like to make a few changes. I'd like to run these by you guys, to see if they are acceptable.
1) Instead the 3/4 inch thick sides, I'd like to use 1" thick sides, for support strength. I would bevel any edges that extend to the inside/outside of the super above it.
2) The "frame sides" and "Frame backs" are 2" wide - Why not make them 1" wide to extend the area of the screen?
3) The gap above the "plywood frame" in the front is 3/4". This is where the entrance reducer would go, right? Can I increase this to 1" - This is a stock board size and would save me cutting. This would be too big, so I'd fill the space with a large-entrance entrance reducer, which would have a gap of 3/8 inch by 12". for regular use.
4) Why don't the bees build comb in the space between the bottom board frame and the super above? It's larger than bee space, even given the recommended measurements...
Thank you,
spock out.
1) Instead the 3/4 inch thick sides, I'd like to use 1" thick sides, for support strength. I would bevel any edges that extend to the inside/outside of the super above it.
2) The "frame sides" and "Frame backs" are 2" wide - Why not make them 1" wide to extend the area of the screen?
3) The gap above the "plywood frame" in the front is 3/4". This is where the entrance reducer would go, right? Can I increase this to 1" - This is a stock board size and would save me cutting. This would be too big, so I'd fill the space with a large-entrance entrance reducer, which would have a gap of 3/8 inch by 12". for regular use.
4) Why don't the bees build comb in the space between the bottom board frame and the super above? It's larger than bee space, even given the recommended measurements...
Thank you,
spock out.