I use two piece of wood,  5/8 inch square,
    one 2 inch long
     the other, the rest of the bottom board width.
 I make a hole at one extremity of each and screw this
piece on the bottom board, near the side of the hives, like two doors.
 I can them open or closed them as I need.

the bees are not disturbed by this arrangement. One thing, do not
push the piece of wood inside the hive or the bees will glue it with
propolis.
in Spring, I cut the propolis with a sharp cutter, and it can work for a
long time.
I screw the piece because nails are not strong enough.

I used that thing for two years without problems.

Sooner or Later, I will test some stronger wood, to make them more
resistant,
(something like oaks or wild cherry).
my english is not perfect so, this explication may be a little bit confuse.
I can send a jpeg with the plan if you need

many thanks to all the group and merry christmas


Pascal

----- Original Message -----
From: Ham Morton <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 8:29 PM
Subject: Hive Winter Reducers


> I have been using the wooden reducers that are roughly 5/8 inch square and
> have 3-4 different sized openings. These work fine but does anyone know of
> a type of reducer that stays on the hive and can double to close a hive
for
> moving.
>
> I think I read somewhere about one that was a sliding unit that stayed on
> the hive. In one direction it reduced ot restricted and in the other was
> open. Maybe I'm just dreaming.
>
> Thanks in advance!!
>