In a message dated 14/02/00 5:24:45 AM Mountain Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << I agree that a bottomboard under the screen would allow the fallen mites the chance to come back through the screen and re-attach to thier host, unless they are somehow trapped with a sticky board or other means. Does your screen attach to a frame which acts as the bottom board or does the screen attach directly to the bottom of the hive body with a spacer allowing entrance on one side? >> It should be noted that research by Dr. Jeff Pettis at the USDA has demonstrated that if Varroa mites are seperated by a small distance from the bees (I can't remember how much- maybe 1.5 inches- does anyone on the list know?), they remain motionless and do not find their way back onto the bees. You do not need the mites to fall a foot- they only need to fall a few inches and bee excluded from bee traffic. No stickyboards are required- that is the point. I cannot comment if the inserts made by these manufacturers meet the minimum distance determined by Dr. Pettis- you may want to ask the manufacturers if they took his work into account when designing the inserts- Dr. Pettis's work on screened inserts appear in an ABJ issue last year. Regards Adony