George Imirie wrote: "I would never own a colony without an upper entrance
because it guarantees ventilation. I know that Brushy Mountain Bee Farm in
North Carolina makes and sells very good quality Goble covers."

IMO George is being modest as he did not mention a very simple inexpensive
device that gives ventilation as well as a way for bees to enter and exit
their hive, the Imirie Shim. When talking about upper ventilation the
Imirie Shim can be used above a standard inner cover (not a solid
innercover). Of course, a small twig about 1/8 to 5/16 inches in diameter
is free if available and will provide ventilation; a larger gap may induce
robbing due to the increased area that requires defense of the colony.
That is precisely why either a Goble Inner Cover or a standard inner cover
with an Imirie Shim above works better if both ventilation and upper
ingress and egress is desired.

Chuck Norton
Norton's Nut & Honey Farm
Reidsville, NC

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