'Way back when', I did a fair amount of work with Bob Stevens (Owner of Betterbee) in developing the Bee Max styro hive. Frankly, it was a pretty straight knock-off of one then being made in Finland. I was very concerned about it being 'too tight' and therefore causing too much condensation during the winter. I never did get an answer from the Finns concerning condensation, but they talked around the subject a great deal and ended up saying 'condensation is not a problem'. Since, I have often wondered if the reason their standard configuration included a bottom board with a screened insert was to (1) constantly introduce cold dry air to balance with the warm air from the bees respiration, and (2) drain any excess moisture that did accumulate. Bob subsequently developed the styro nuc without my input. As someone suggested, it was a knock off of one from Western Canada and the design was brought to Bob by the styro manufacturer. When I saw it I questioned Bob about excess condensation and, roughly, he said (1) the guy in Western Canada hasn't had any problems with excess condensation and (2) the guy in Canada wanted the solid bottom for feeding. Well...I have had just three of these nuc boxes. I consider them superb for establishing spring nucs and wish I could afford to replace my 75+ wood nuc boxes with them. But in this climate I have to think that using them to overwinter without some kind of top ventilation would result in the loss of most of the nucs. Besides, I have little difficulty over-wintering 5 frames nucs in my drafty wood boxes. -- Lloyd Spear Owner Ross Rounds, Inc. Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections, Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels. Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---