In message <[log in to unmask]>, Excerpts from BEE-L <[log in to unmask]> writes >From: Vince Coppola <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-to: [log in to unmask] > >> Does the opening of the beehive affect it's production? The person I got >> the bees from placed wood on both sides of the base to reduce the >> opening. Are they necessary, or limiting anything.... > >For many years I belived that I had to remove the entrance reducer each >spring and put it back in each fall. I finally took the advice of a local >expert and tried leaving them in. I could see no advantage to taking them >in and out so now they just stay in. Colonies can make huge crops with just >a 3/8" X 2 1/2" entrance. On the other hand, a lot of work has been done on improving hive ventilation, for example with open mesh floors. Does anyone know of any well-researched conclusions? -- Alyn W. Ashworth Lancashire & North-West Bee-Keepers' Association. UK. (but I don't speak on their bee-half) http://www.demon.co.uk/emphasys