I have heard of using burlap instead of an inner cover. At $.30 compared to $6.50 for wood it is certainly cheaper. Of course a wooden one could be substituted for drip-feeding or with an escape if those methods are used, but are there any other advantages/disadvantages to using burlap? In a message dated 97-06-30 00:28:48 EDT, you write: << A number of commercial lids or inner-covers I have seen in use have a 3/8" - 1/2" rim on the underside. Can't say why -- the top-bee-space (the "standard" in North America) then ends up way too large, and the bees can plug that all up with burr comb, = pain-in-in-the-neck. >>