I'm a fan of small entrances pretty much year-round. My "normal" setup is 1/2"-3/4" wide by whatever height the bottom board is. If it's a homemade bottom board then it's about 3/8". I use metal drywall corners as my entrance reducers. In most cases I cut the corners to the width of the bottom board, then cut the corner in half. It allows me to regulate the entrance width very easily while also acting as a mouse guard.
I've compared honey production on hives with restricted entrances vs half open entrances vs fully open entrances and have found no difference whatsoever. Small entrances also help with robbing pressure. Attached is a picture of drywall corner entrance reducer.

Marcin
Chicago, IL.


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