On Fri, 23 Feb 1996, Dave Green, Eastern Pollinator Newsletter wrote:
 
> In a message dated 96-02-22 23:41:13 EST, you write:
>
> > I read an article that said that a sticky board
> >could be such a devise....
>
>     Hardware cloth - 1/8 mesh will do fine.
 
If it's cloth, the bees will fairly quickly chew it up and throw
it out so you'll have to replace it from time to time. I use
a permanently installed steel mesh, but there are some other
downsides then -- burr comb on the bottom of the frames and a
wax-moth farm under the mesh. Some also think the bees build
up slower in the spring.
 
> Put a half inch spacer between
> it and the paper, and it won't even really need to be sticky, if the bees
> cannot reach it.
 
Some stickiness can be useful if you use a mechanical knockdown
like talc or icing sugar where the mites may later get up and
walk again (sounds a bit biblical<g>). Many people in the UK
brush vegetable oil onto the paper -- works quite well.
 
Regards,
--
Gordon Scott   [log in to unmask]   Hampshire, England.
               [log in to unmask]
               Beekeeper; Kendo 3rd Dan; Sometime sailor.
The Basingstoke Beekeeper (newsletter) [log in to unmask]