Frank I. Reiter asks Has anybody tried this[wide entrances] and had success? Has anybody tried this and found problems with it? Frank - I have tried and like wide entrance bottom boards. In fact, I have a number of 'normal' bottom boards to sell/give if someone wants them. Regarding cooling, this may not be the case without top ventilation. If cooling is your concern, there also have been several posts regarding screened bottoms(check the archives). I know that wide entrances with top ventilation similar to the D.E. hive works well in our climate(North Carolina) to eliminate the bearding and fanning in warm weather(90-100 degrees). I also feel (by observation) that the hives that I have with wide entrances/top ventilation have more activity, and know emperically that they produce more honey. As to whether the bees like this better and are less aggressive - I don't know. I have always worked the hives from the back, and the wide entrance makes it easier to manipulate the parts (as in less clumsy/easier on the back). I don't get stung often either way, and still purchase hives with normal entrances - though I change the bottom board as soon as I have the time to make another when I have depleted my supply. Try it in your locale. If you like it, the bees don't seem to mind. If you don't like it, then you are no worse off for trying. If ventilation is the goal, the warm air rising through the hive works great, and when the weather is warm and still, the entire yard smells like a huge bee hive. Tim Rich -