Hi all,

Etienne T wrote:
>>
I agree that screened bottom boards are best for insulated hives with no
top entrance.<<

Quite probably right if the design of the screened bottom is open to the
air below.  Not all screened bases are necessarily like this.  I make mine
with a sheet aluminum drawer below the screen layer, to check detritus/mite
drop with, and this design does not admit much airflow to the hive above.

I generally insulate for winter, with a 4-5" lower entrance and no top
entrance.  I have had >90% winter survival for the past 5 years doing this
and it would be nice to think that it is because of what I am doing rather
than in spite of it.  But it's hard to tell.  We'll see what happens this
year.  Mite numbers were obstinate this fall and very variable temps so far
in early winter is probably causing a lot of stores to be burned up.

Rob Hughes
Upper Kingsclear NB
44N -67W

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