In a message dated 96-08-22 16:16:41 EDT, you write:
 
<<  now I'm worried that it may prevent cleansing flights if they can't
         get down through the excluder. >>
Tim:
 
Great for cleansing flights are the Imirie Shims sold by Brushy Mountain Bee
Farm. You put one in between the bottom supers in the good weather to save
the bees time from having to crawl down thru the brood chamber to get
outside. In the winter you move it up on top of your top super (under the
inner cover) for ventilation. It also provides for winter cleansing flights
on a nice day.
 
You really can easily make them yourself. They are simply four pieces of wood
3/4" square fitted together with an entrance cut into the front piece about
the size of your smallest entrance in a winter reducer. Great also for
releasing moisture in the winter. Just be sure to push the top cover as far
forward as it will go to give your girls some exit room.
 
Al Needham
Hobbyist
Scituate,MA,USA
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