Apparently many BEE-L members do leave the mesh floors on over winter and
also leave them open to the elements.  I wonder how many also use top
entrances as well, or if many find the ventilation from below adequate.

I also wonder how many use the large surface area type described on Barry's
site and how many use a smaller mesh area as described here by a Norwegian
member several years back.  As I recall, he used no upper entrance and had
good wintering success.

> > I do leave the mesh bottoms on and open during the winter and the do
fine.  My colonies ... are about 8 inches above the ground with plenty of
room for air circulation under the hives.

allen
http://www.internode.net/HoneyBee/Diary/