In a message dated 99-09-06 11:51:59 EDT, you write:

<< Consider this: If the bottom of the hive is basically an open screen mesh,
 wouldn't that leave hives especially vulnerable to another "new thing" in
 America: small hive beetles, which live part of their life cycle in the dirt
 around the hives? Seems like such a open mesh would create especially easy
 access.
 John >>

Here in Georgia, where Small Hive Beetles are present, I am pondering this
quesiton too. It seems to me that mesh bottom boards have just about
everything to recommend them except where small hive beetles are present.
Does anyone know how far the Small Hive Beetle larvae will move once they
drop out a hive? Perhaps some sort of ground cover under and around the hives
would make it possible to use mesh screened bottom boards despite the Small
Hive Beetle. Any thoughts or research on this?

Todd Webb
Palmetto, GA